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PARIS — A former hostage of Colombian rebels on Monday said that captive Ingrid Betancourt was sick but denied assertions that he had said she was near death.
France launched a mission to help the French-Colombian hostage, citing fears for her health after more than six years in captivity in the jungle. The mission has stalled as the rebels have not responded to appeals to give Betancourt medical aid or free her.
Lorenzo Delloye, Betancourt's son, told reporters in Paris on Wednesday his mother could die if she did not get a blood transfusion "in the coming hours," adding that she suffers from hepatitis B and a ravaging skin disease. He said he learned this from former hostage Luis Eladio Perez, who spent part of his captivity with Betancourt and last saw her on Feb. 4.
But Perez told The Associated Press on Monday that while Betancourt is sick, he would not characterize her as being in danger of dying. In an interview at his Bogota home, Perez said he last saw Betancourt on Feb. 4 amid another group of hostages as their paths crossed. He said she was pale and thin, but walking, and that they exchanged a few words.
"Ingrid is sick without a doubt," Perez said of Betancourt. But he said he would not have characterized her as gravely ill, adding: "I am not a doctor."
He confirmed telling authorities that Betancourt had hepatitis since before she was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in February 2002, and that it had worsened because of lack of medicine. He said that as far as he knows, she does not have a skin disease.
On Monday, President Alvaro Uribe told reporters that Colombia's armed forces and police were trying to locate Betancourt and other hostages so humanitarian assistance could be provided.
Colombian news media, quoting unidentified peasants who say they have seen Betancourt, reported last week that the 46-year-old hostage was at death's door.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy also said last week that Betancourt was gravely ill. Perez said he was not the source for the information coming from the French government.
"I think a novel has been knitted about Ingrid's situation," Perez told AP. "It doesn't correspond to reality."
On Monday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Betancourt's condition may not be as bad as earlier believed.
