PARIS —  The son of Colombian-French hostage Ingrid Betancourt says her release after six years of captivity is "if true, the most beautiful news of my life."

Colombia's defense minister says the country's military has rescued former presidential candidate Betancourt and 14 other hostages from leftist rebels.

Betancourt's son Lorenzo Delloye-Betancourt said on France-Info radio Wednesday that he was "really surprised and happy" but he said he was waiting for more information about the release.

Betancourt holds dual Colombian and French citizenship and has become a cause celebre in France. President Nicolas Sarkozy has pushed for her release.

Betancourt was kidnapped while campaigning for Colombia's presidency in 2002.