The French intelligence service, Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE), was involved in clandestine operations aimed at rescuing Íngrid Betancourt, a prominent Colombian politician and former senator who had been kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2002. After months of planning, intelligence, and coordination, the DGSE mission was aborted for reasons that remain partially unclear, leading to a major political scandal when the details were leaked to the press. This operation was emblematic of France’s commitment to international issues involving hostages and highlighted the political sensitivities of intervention in Colombia’s internal conflicts, particularly given the complexities of the FARC's guerrilla tactics and their hold over large parts of rural Colombia.

Media reports and public discussions following the aborted rescue sparked controversies surrounding French President Jacques Chirac’s foreign policy decisions. The leaked details revealed operational shortcomings and led to debates about the priorities of the French government, putting pressure on Chirac's administration to address both public outrage and the geopolitical ramifications of their activities.

The incident also shed light on the broader implications of foreign involvement in Colombia, especially as it related to the FARC insurgency and the various international efforts aimed at combating drug trafficking and securing hostages. The aborted operation underscored the risks associated with high-stakes rescue missions and prompted discussions about the ethics of such interventions in volatile regions.