Brian Rincón Arias was kidnapped by guerillas from his nursery in Cúcuta, Colombia, on June 15. This week he was carried across mountains for 24 hours by a female guerilla, who then handed herself and Brian to soldiers on patrol. The woman, known as La Negra, had fled with the boy from the rebel gang with which she had lived for years. Not without significant risk, it must be said, since the rebels had demanded £370k ransom for the boy's safe return – they would have had little sympathy for La Negra's 'maternal instinct', which Columbian authorities think drove her to return Brian. La Negra is now in a protection programme, which aims to reintegrate ex-rebels into society. As for Brian, he has been reunited with his parents – a happy ending that provides a rare glimmer of hope in a country that has seen 393 people kidnapped by rebels this year alone...
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
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There is something archetypal about this story - not unlike the mythic quality of yesterday's post. It wouldn't be too difficult to see La Negra, in tears amid the alien corn, overcome by her love for the child and his predicament. It is hopeful that humanitarian impulses can overcome ideology and the political groupthink that believes kidnapping and drug running are validated by the revolution.
There must be a point at which life enhancing ideals, be they FARC's or the agrarian dreams of the Khmer Rouge, turn to the terrifying inhumanity of kidnap and murder. I think it was Jean Genet who was fascinated by such pivital points - they are as important as the beat of a butterfly's wing.
Sarkozy and Chavez are to be applauded in their determination to help free Ingrid Bettancout from captivity by FARC. Chavez especially: "Not only Ingrid (Betancourt) but also the rest held by the FARC"
You are right, Harry - it is fascinating to think that at some point at least gang members (in any situation) may 'snap'. A classic tipping point scenario - I suspect it comes at a unique point in each individual, depending on their own emotional intelligence and cultural background, as well as the dynamics within their gang. For some, it seems, their tipping point never comes. But for La Negra, evidently, it came in the shape of a 4-year-old boy. The article cited here suggests that the boy had bonded with La Negra, relating to her as a maternal figure. It's not difficult to see how that tipped the balance...
The story of Brian and La Negra has the makings of a beautiful film - were the reality of the Colombian political situation not so tragic.
Heartwarming!
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