[af_vet_rr]

I assume they had some tactical help planning the raid.

The US, France, and Israel were involved with "strategic" help (probably satellite or UAV, plus some training).

At the tactical level, it came down to the Colombians who pulled it off - they rehearsed several scenarios for several weeks. They also studied films of prior hostage releases to pick up on the personalities of the people they would be facing off against. They also had the help of a double-agent who penetrated FARC and managed to help gather the hostages together in one location.

It may only work once, but it's going to create a helluva lot of fear and distrust within FARC, which will hurt FARC for a long time to come.

[Valentine_W]

I guess if that’s not the case, let’s hope that Mark Bowden doesn’t get the inspiration for another tell-all book centering around Columbia, lol.