A heroic rescue of  hostages occurred in Colombia.  A very happy day for them.

President Uribe’s government forces undertook the rescue.  President Uribe and his allies are accused of having unclean hands in relation to the unionist killing epidemic in Colombia. 

I haven’t seen anyone ask this question.  Why now?  Why do this the day after McCain visits to push the stupid Colombia FTA? 

Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee, released a statement that said Mr. Uribe and Mr. Santos had briefed him about the operation on Tuesday night, during his visit to Colombia.

Fifteen hostages were rescued, according to the government reports.  They were held by the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) for six years.   

But why now?  Yes.  I feel like a conspiracy theorist.  Reading tea leaves.  Or John LeCarre novels.  And reading too much into them.  But the U.S. government was apparently the spur for the operation.

The United States was involved in the planning of the operation and provided “specific support,” the White House said. But officials there would not describe the nature of that support.

One American official who was briefed on the operation but spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the intelligence support to Colombia for the mission, but would not provide details.

Six years in captivity.  The U.S. provided intelligence just now.  When McCain was visiting Colombia… while campaigning for election in the U.S.  And McCain supports the Colombia FTA.  And McCain mildly scolded Colombia for not doing enough on the human rights front.  And McCain was briefed on the operation.  Which was carried out after he left.   Magical.

I don’t think we can underestimate how desparate the White House is to get another trade deal.