By John Lichfield After more than six years held captive by Colombian guerrillas, Ingrid Betancourt is free - thanks to a remarkable rescue operation. Rescue in the jungle She bounded down the stairs of the military aircraft, grinning like a teenager returning from a foreign holiday.

BOGOTA, Colombia _ The final stages of Operation Check-Mate began early Wednesday morning as the guerrilla group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia gathered 15 of their most valuable hostages in an isolated forest of the southern province of Guaviare.

By Frank Bajak Associated Press BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.

BOGOTA, Colombia _ The rescuers came wearing Che Guevara T-shirts and logos declaring them delegates of some obscure organization. They didn't look much like an international humanitarian brigade. And they weren't.

CARTAGENA, Colombia _ Three American defense contractors held since 2003 by narco-guerillas in steamy jungle captivity were choppered to freedom here, it was announced Wednesday, in a daring rescue operation that resembled a Hollywood action film.