WORLD BRIEFING / COLOMBIA
A captured leftist rebel who unwittingly helped officials rescue 15 hostages, including three American military contractors, was bundled aboard a plane to Florida to face terrorism-related charges.
U.S. prosecutors say Nancy Conde Rubio, 37, negotiated shipments of gear for rebel fighters, varying from assault rifles to condoms. Colombian security agents monitored her phone calls.
That helped lead to the July 2008 operation in which soldiers disguised as aid workers rescued the hostages, including French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and the three Americans. Conde faces charges of conspiring to aid, and giving material support to terrorist organizations.
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