Ex-husband fears French hostage is dead

The former husband of French hostage Ingrid Betancourt said today that he fears she is dead after six years of rebel captivity in Colombia’s jungle, expressing doubts about a government offer to obtain her release.

Fabrice Delloye said he feared for the fate of Ms Betancourt, who has reportedly been very ill, because families of rebel hostages have begged Colombia’s government for years without success to agree to exchange imprisoned rebels for hostages.