Mr. Speaker, stunned by the kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt on February 24, the Bloc Quebecois wishes to draw the attention of the House to this woman's commitment to her country and invite the population and all members of the House to come together and denounce her kidnapping and call for her to be freed immediately and unconditionally.
Concerned with the devastation being caused by drug cartels and the corruption of her country's leaders, Ingrid Betancourt put everything aside to get involved in politics and became a representative, then a senator, and finally a candidate for President of Columbia.
At the expense of her safety, and that of her family, she has defended fundamental values such as social justice and has provided a renewed sense of hope to Columbia.
Through her determination, strength and courage, Ingrid Betancourt has given us a message of hope to which we must respond collectively in order to trigger serious political negotiations to restore the peace and social justice wanted by the vast majority of Columbians.
If she succeeds, she will have changed the course of history.