Ingrid Betancourt freed

Ingrid Betancourt shows her relief at finally being free, as she joins her mother, Yolanda Pulecio, Colombian defence minister, Juan Manuel Santos (right), and General Freddy Padilla. Betancourt and 14 other hostages held for years in jungle captivity were rescued from leftist guerrillas by Colombian troops posing as aid workers Photograph: Javier Casella/Reuters

Betancourt embraces her mother Photograph: William Fernando Martinez/AP

Betancourt prays with the other hostages during a press conference after their arrival Photograph: Rodrigo Arangua/AFP

One of the other hostages, Corporal Jose Manuel Arteaga, with his pet on his shoulder Photograph: Rodrigo Arangua /AFP

Betancourt grips her hat tightly with a rosary on her wrist at the press conference Photograph: Carlos Duran/Reuters

1998: Betancourt celebrates at her house in Bogota after winning a seat in parliamentary elections Photograph: Ricardo Mazalan/AP

2002: Betancourt and her presidential running mate, Clara Rojas, in a television broadcast. The video was released by the kidnappers, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) Photograph: EPA

2004: A journalist interviews senior Farc leader Raul Reyes. Reyes said Betancourt was 'alive and well'. Reyes was killed earlier this year in Ecuador Photograph: Jacques Thomet/AFP

2005: Juan Carlos Lecompte, Betancourt's husband, shows a leaflet with the pictures of her children, Melanie and Lorenzo. Lecompte threw 6,000 copies of these leaflets over the forests where Betancourt was believed to have been held hostage Photograph: Rodrigo Arangia /AFP

2007: Betancourt in captivity looking gaunt and sick, which led to increased concerns over her wellbeing Photograph: AP

Betancourt speaks to the media after her release Photograph: John Vizcaino/Reuters