Intentional Misuse of Red Cross Symbol

The recent rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and her fellow hostages from Farc captivity is a brilliant story, that played out much like a sensational movie plot. Disguises were used, double agents assisted the rescue, and everything came together to make the rescue a complete success.

After the fact, however, details have emerged to cast a dark shadow on the rescue operation.

Recently, a video of the rescue operation was leaked by members of the Colombian military. In this video, it's shown that the rescuers wore the symbol of the ICRC, otherwise known as the International Committee of the Red Cross.

This misuse borders on violation of the Geneva Convention. Aid workers of the ICRC need to be able to move freely through warzones in order to provide care to wounded soldiers, civilians, hostages, etc... By posing as Red Cross workers, the rescuers violated the trust of the Farc rebels.

Some might argue that all is fair in love, and especially war. Once you start taking liberties like this, however, you have to wonder if it opens the door for others to do the same. Others that might use such deception for less than pure purposes.

In this case, the "Good Guys" misused the emblem. Who knows what could happen if the situation was reversed?

Just something to think about on this early Wednesday afternoon.