Colombia Apologizes for Red Cross Display in Hostage Rescue

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia's president says a Red Cross symbol was worn by a member of the military rescue mission that freed 15 hostages from leftist rebels.

President Alvaro Uribe says his government has apologized to the International Red Cross for the incident, which he said was not authorized.

A team of Colombian military intelligence agents posing as members of a fake international humanitarian group airlifted the hostages to safety on July 2. Those rescued included a French-Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt, and three American military contractors.

Mr. Uribe said in a speech today that a single member of the rescue team got nervous and affixed a cloth International Red Cross symbol on his vest.