Betancourt, a dual French-Colombian citizen who has become a cause celebre in France, was punished for trying to escape by having a metal chain tied around her neck, sometimes for days and months at a time.
She too previously suffered hepatitis, but in recent times had recovered and exercised daily, hostage family members who met privately with Pinchao said earlier.
"She's strong and has a lot of courage that made the guerrillas respect her ... but they took reprisals," Pinchao said, adding that he never saw the Americans similarly chained because they had never tried to escape.
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