Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in his New Year's Eve announcement, said that his government has reached a six-month ceasefire deal with the country's five largest armed groups.&nbsp;Making the truce was the main goal of the president's "total peace" policy, which is aimed at ending armed conflict within the country that has continued even after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was dissolved in 2017.

"We have agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the Second Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC and the Self-Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada from January 1 to June 30, 2023, extendable depending on progress in the negotiations," tweeted Petro.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-dissidents-of-guerrilla-group-farc-announce-temporary-truce-546434">Colombia: Dissidents of guerrilla group FARC announce temporary truce</a>

"This is a bold act. The bilateral ceasefire obliges the armed organisations and the state to respect it. There will be a national and international verification mechanism,” he further wrote.

The groups entering the ceasefire deal include&nbsp;leftist guerrilla group like the National Liberation Army (ELN) along with dissident groups which are being operated by former members of the now-demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Estado Mayor Central and Segunda Marquetalia.

The Colombian government, in a separate statement, stated that multiple letters were received from the church, society and other community organisations with an appeal to end the violence.

WATCH | Gravitas: Colombia elects former guerrilla rebel as President

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The government said that a specific decree would be issued for each organisation, which will specify the conditions and durations of the ceasefire. The ceasefire deal will end on June 30, but can be extended.&nbsp;

Even after efforts made by the government to negotiate with different armed groups in Colombia, so far it has not been successful in containing the violence that engulfs the country.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in his New Year's Eve announcement, said that his government has reached a six-month ceasefire deal with the country's five largest armed groups.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, in his New Year's Eve announcement, said that his government has reached a six-month ceasefire deal with the country's five largest armed groups. Making the truce was the main goal of the president's "total peace" policy, which is aimed at ending armed conflict within the country that has continued even after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was dissolved in 2017. "We have agreed to a bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the Second Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC and the Self-Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada from January 1 to June 30, 2023, extendable depending on progress in the negotiations," tweeted Petro. ALSO READ | Colombia: Dissidents of guerrilla group FARC announce temporary truce "This is a bold act. The bilateral ceasefire obliges the armed organisations and the state to respect it. There will be a national and international verification mechanism,” he further wrote. The groups entering the ceasefire deal include leftist guerrilla group like the National Liberation Army (ELN) along with dissident groups which are being operated by former members of the now-demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Estado Mayor Central and Segunda Marquetalia. The Colombian government, in a separate statement, stated that multiple letters were received from the church, society and other community organisations with an appeal to end the violence. WATCH | Gravitas: Colombia elects former guerrilla rebel as President The government said that a specific decree would be issued for each organisation, which will specify the conditions and durations of the ceasefire. The ceasefire deal will end on June 30, but can be extended. Even after efforts made by the government to negotiate with different armed groups in Colombia, so far it has not been successful in containing the violence that engulfs the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Colombia government finalises six-month ceasefire deal with five armed groups

Colombian unions, student groups and other protesters converged outside the country's Congress on Monday (December 16) against rumoured economic reform plans that critics argue give businesses too many tax breaks.

National strike converges on Colombia's Congress amidst outrage over tax reform

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Havana late Wednesday night ahead of the signing of an agreement between Colombia&#39;s government and leftist FARC rebels. 
 
The two sides are slated to sign an agreement to end hostilities with a definitive ceasefire today. 
 
After more than three years of fraught talks in the Cuban capital, the agreement brings into sight an end to a conflict that began as a 1960s peasant revolt before exploding into a cocaine-fuelled war that has killed at least 220,000 people and displaced millions. 
 
The accord will be signed in Havana by President Juan Manuel Santos and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko. 
 
The agreement would leave the two sides just a step away from resolving the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere. 
 
&quot;I congratulate (Colombian) President (Juan Manuel) Santos and the Colombian government. I congratulate the Revolutionary Armed Forces (of Colombia), the FARC and their commander, Timoleon for this historic advancement, this gigantic step. Peace in Colombia is our peace,&quot; Maduro said, referring to Londono by another of his aliases. 
 
Ban and Maduro were expected to attend the signing ceremony along with Cuban President Raul Castro and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. 
 
The ceremony is expected to be held at 12:00 EDT (1600 GMT) 
 
(Reuters)

The agreement ends what started as a 1960s peasant revolt but ended up killing 220,000 and displacing millions

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Havana late Wednesday night ahead of the signing of an agreement between Colombia's government and leftist FARC rebels. The two sides are slated to sign an agreement to end hostilities with a definitive ceasefire today. After more than three years of fraught talks in the Cuban capital, the agreement brings into sight an end to a conflict that began as a 1960s peasant revolt before exploding into a cocaine-fuelled war that has killed at least 220,000 people and displaced millions. The accord will be signed in Havana by President Juan Manuel Santos and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko. The agreement would leave the two sides just a step away from resolving the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere. "I congratulate (Colombian) President (Juan Manuel) Santos and the Colombian government. I congratulate the Revolutionary Armed Forces (of Colombia), the FARC and their commander, Timoleon for this historic advancement, this gigantic step. Peace in Colombia is our peace," Maduro said, referring to Londono by another of his aliases. Ban and Maduro were expected to attend the signing ceremony along with Cuban President Raul Castro and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. The ceremony is expected to be held at 12:00 EDT (1600 GMT) (Reuters)

Ban Ki-moon and Venezuela's Maduro arrive for Colombia-FARC agreement