Hostage taking

Laura Ulloa stands in her yard at her family home in Cali, Colombia. Behind her are the Cordillera Mountains, where she was held hostage for seven months

Once held hostage, she’s now trying to help her former captors

Conflict

Kidnapped by the FARC as a child, Laura Ulloa went to work helping ex-rebels as an adult.

American journalist James Foley arrives at the Rixos hotel in Tripoli after being released from capitivity by the Libyan government on May 18, 2011.

America’s policy on hostages may have cost the life of James Foley

Conflict
Hostages run past a police officer (C) near Lindt Cafe, at Martin Place in central Sydney December 16, 2014. Australian security forces on Tuesday stormed the Sydney cafe where several hostages were being held at gunpoint.

An Iranian refugee and self-styled Muslim cleric is blamed for a hostage crisis in Sydney

Conflict
A screenshot from a video released by al Qaeda on December 4, 2014, showing hostage, Luke Somers.

A failed US hostage rescue attempt in Yemen raises more questions about US policy on hostages

Conflict
Syrian Kurds flee into Turkey this past weekend to escape attacks from Islamic State militants. Around 130,000 Kurds were given shelter inside of Turkey.

Turkey’s hostage problem is over, but it might stay on the sidelines versus ISIS

Conflict
A sign outside a shop remembers James Foley in his hometown of Rochester, New Hampshire. Islamic State militants killed the journalist in a brutal videotaped beheading in revenge for US air strikes in Iraq.

They’ll never admit it, but many countries pay ransoms to get their hostages back

Conflict

If you’re being held hostage by terrorists overseas and you’re French or Spanish, there’s a good chance your government will find a way to free you — by paying a ransom through indirect means. If you’re American or British, your best bet is to try and escape — or hope for a daring military raid.

Journalist discusses details of real life story behind new movie ‘Argo’

Global Politics

In the wake of the hostage crisis in Iran in 1979, six Americans managed to take refuge with Canadian diplomats. The Canadians and the CIA worked together to create a fake movie that would provide cover for them to leave the country. The whole matter is the plot for a new movie, out this week.

Former FARC hostage now accused of collaborating with kidnappers

Global Politics

Sigifredo Lopez was held hostage by FARC guerrilla for seven years. But law enforcement officials say Lopez was actually a collaborator with them, and have charged him in connection with the death of his fellow lawmakers.

Algeria Gas Facility Attack May Have Been an Inside Job

Conflict & Justice

Algeria has allowed journalists to visit the gas facility attacked by Islamic militants last month. The BBC’s Richard Galpin was among them, and describes the scene to anchor Marco Werman, and brings us up to date on the investigation.

Military Operation Ends at Algerian Gas Facility with Uncertain Outcome

Conflict & Justice

Early Thursday, the Algerian government forces launched an operation to try and free the hostages, some of whom are Americans. The operation apparently began when Algerian forces fired on a militant convoy that was carrying some of the captives.