Latest update: 27/02/2009 

- Cuba - Ingrid Betancourt - USA - Washington D.C.


In the papers
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FRANCE 24 journalists present highlights from the world's daily papers.
By Catherine NORRIS TRENT (text)

El Pais (Spain)
 
Spanish newspaper El Pais reports that Ingrid Betancourt, a former hostage freed from the Columbian jungle last July, is coming in for heavy criticism in a new book. The paper reports on a book by two former US military contractors who were held hostage by FARC guerillas alongside Ms Betancourt. El Pais says that in the work, "Out of Captivity", Ms Betancourt is described as “arrogant” and “manipulating”.
 
 
Guardian (UK)
 
UK broadsheet The Guardian also covers this story. It quotes the US hostages as saying Ms Betancourt stole food, refused to share resources and even denounced them to FARC guards. The Guardian also helpfully provides an accompanying article looking at hostage psychology, citing experts as saying that while most captives become passive, some people – strong personalities – can emerge as unsettling influences: being bossy and assertive and behaving more like guards than prisoners.
 
 
Miami Herald (USA)
 
In the US, several papers are reporting on measures proposed by the Obama administration to effectively loosen up some of the restrictions on Cuba. The Miami Herald, based in Florida, where there’s a large Cuban Diaspora, has this story on their front page. The Herald looks at the impact that lifting the current travel ban would have on Cuban exiles.
 
 
Sun Sentinel (USA)
 
Another Florida newspaper, the Sun Sentinel, is running stories on US-Cuba relations. In one article, the Sentinel examines how relaxing the travel ban could affect families divided between the US and Cuba. The story features interviews with people in Havana affected by the travel embargo, including a Cuban man who believes he’ll never see his ageing mother again.
 
 
Publico (Spain)
 
Spanish paper Pulbico also picks up on the Cuban-American ties. The publication is reporting that big American firms are poised, ready to expand into Cuban markets if trade restrictions are opened up.
 
 
Washington Post (USA)

On the subject of US legislation, people in Washington DC could soon be celebrating their own breakthrough. Even though the state the District of Columbia is home to the nation’s capital city, it doesn’t have any votes in the US House of Representatives. DC currently has non-voting delegates, but a bill is in Congress aimed at giving the state voting rights.

 

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