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rescue made it clear that Colombia does not require the help of its neighbors [1]. Either way, President Uribe still has two years to fulfill on his entrance to office promise made in 2002, which is to crush the rebels once and for all.

Regardless of who becomes President of Colombia in 2010, for now the country is rejoicing in the government's victory for Colombians against the FARC. A sense of accomplishment for the military's strategic strike to the rebel group permeates the nation. Colombians are beginning to develop hope that the conflict is coming to an end as the FARC have also suffered the loss of their leader and founder, Manuel Marulanda, this past 26 March. Preceding that was the attack in Ecuador this past 1 March, which took commanding leader Raul Reyes off the group's roster.

At the same time, other Colombians who continue to have family members being held captive are concerned that their loved ones may be forgotten by Uribe's administration. While last week's rescue was unarguably a critical high point in the country's violent conflict between the government and its insurgent group, at least 700 more prisoners are estimated to remain in FARC captivity.

The most pertinent question for many Colombians is how and when Uribe plans to liberate the remaining hostages. Contrary to media frenzy, last week's success did not resolve the conflict, nor did it liberate the longest-held captives who exceed more than a decade in jungle captivity. While it was significant, the conflict was not resolved by the mission. In fact, uncertainty to the FARC's response brings only fuzzy speculation for the future.

As Colombia celebrates last week's hostage rescue with the rest of the world, public consensus amongst Colombians indicates a stronger-than-ever approval for Uribe and his government. The rescue even prompted Cuba's Fidel Castro to suggest to the FARC that they unconditionally release all prisoners, but that they also continue in their armed struggle against the government [2]. All sides now appear to be falling in on the country's guerrilla group.

Considering all this, it seems the FARC stand with all fingers pointed at them for the next move in Colombia's long-lived and dynamic internal conflict. The group's new commanding leader, Alfonso Cano, is certainly facing challenges in a changing climate that appears to be advantageous for the government of Colombia and its leader.

Sources:

1.http://www.ml ive.com/newsflash/internationa l/index.ssf?/base/internationa l-13/1215158341197030.xml&stor ylist=international

2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ame ricas/7492506.stm

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