Days after the Colombian President announced truce with the country's largest armed rebels - National Liberation Army or the ELN - has refused to accept any such agreement. The leftist group in Colombia said that it is not a part of the ceasefire with the government.

ELN contradicts President's truce claim, denies it with Colombian government

Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — a guerrilla group in Colombia, have&nbsp;announced a temporary truce in the country. According to the peace commissioner on Saturday (December 24), the group of armed renegades declared a unilateral ceasefire until the new year, news agency AFP reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that other FARC dissidents as well as paramilitaries in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the north, and gangs in the port of Buenaventura, the most important port on the Pacific, also declared a ceasefire. Taking to Twitter, President Petro said, "We hope that real peace processes will be consolidated."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-27-killed-in-colombia-landslide-several-injured-president-540339">At least 27 killed in Colombia landslide, several injured - President</a>

Saturday's development comes days after the rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) ended the forced confinement of around 10,000 people in the northwest of Colombia.&nbsp;

The ELN is in peace negotiations with the government. It is the last recognised rebel group operating in Colombia, although dissidents who refused to sign a 2016 peace deal between the FARC and the government also remain active, AFP reported on Wednesday. The rebel group has around 2,500 fighters and a wide network of collaborators, independent estimates show.&nbsp;

After becoming the country's first leftist President in August this year, Gustavo Petro vowed to negotiate with all armed groups as a part of his "total peace" policy. At present, there are around 90 political and criminal groups operating in Colombia.&nbsp;

For over five decades, Colombia has suffered an armed conflict between the state and groups of left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers.

In November, talks had resumed with ELN in Venezuela for the first time in three years, when President Petro's predecessor Ivan Duque broke off negotiations following a car bomb attack on a police academy in which 22 people were killed. The initial talks had not resulted in a formal ceasefire agreement. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — a guerrilla group in Colombia, have announced a temporary truce in the country. According to the peace commissioner on Saturday (December 24), the group of armed renegades declared a unilateral ceasefire until the new year, news agency AFP reported on Sunday.

Dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) — a guerrilla group in Colombia, have announced a temporary truce in the country. According to the peace commissioner on Saturday (December 24), the group of armed renegades declared a unilateral ceasefire until the new year, news agency AFP reported on Sunday. Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Saturday that other FARC dissidents as well as paramilitaries in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in the north, and gangs in the port of Buenaventura, the most important port on the Pacific, also declared a ceasefire. Taking to Twitter, President Petro said, "We hope that real peace processes will be consolidated." ALSO READ | At least 27 killed in Colombia landslide, several injured - President Saturday's development comes days after the rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) ended the forced confinement of around 10,000 people in the northwest of Colombia. The ELN is in peace negotiations with the government. It is the last recognised rebel group operating in Colombia, although dissidents who refused to sign a 2016 peace deal between the FARC and the government also remain active, AFP reported on Wednesday. The rebel group has around 2,500 fighters and a wide network of collaborators, independent estimates show. After becoming the country's first leftist President in August this year, Gustavo Petro vowed to negotiate with all armed groups as a part of his "total peace" policy. At present, there are around 90 political and criminal groups operating in Colombia. For over five decades, Colombia has suffered an armed conflict between the state and groups of left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers. In November, talks had resumed with ELN in Venezuela for the first time in three years, when President Petro's predecessor Ivan Duque broke off negotiations following a car bomb attack on a police academy in which 22 people were killed. The initial talks had not resulted in a formal ceasefire agreement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombia: Dissidents of guerrilla group FARC announce temporary truce

Negotiators from the&nbsp;Colombian government and&nbsp;leftist&nbsp;guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) began&nbsp;peace&nbsp;talks&nbsp;on Monday, the first major step in President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end nearly 60 years of war.

Petro, a former member of the M-19 insurgency who took office in August, has promised to bring "total&nbsp;peace" to&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;by negotiating with&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;and crime gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

"We cannot see each other as enemies, the labor we have is of reconciliation," said&nbsp;ELN&nbsp;negotiator Pablo Beltran. "We hope not to fail these expectations for change."

The&nbsp;talks&nbsp;- which began in Venezuelan capital Caracas - will rotate among guarantor countries Venezuela, Cuba and Norway, according to the&nbsp;Colombian government.

"We are committed to&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with an organization that also wants&nbsp;peace," said head government negotiator Otty Patino. "We are going to reach safe port...a real&nbsp;peace."

The delegations had their first meeting on Monday,&nbsp;Colombia's high&nbsp;peace&nbsp;commissioner Danilo Rueda said.

Previous attempts at negotiations with the&nbsp;ELN, which has some 2,400 combatants and was founded in 1964 by radical Catholic priests, have not advanced partly because of dissent within its ranks.

Leaders have said the group is united, but it is unclear how much sway negotiators hold over active units. Much of the&nbsp;ELN's negotiating team is older than many of its members.

The negotiations do not mean a suspension of military operations against the&nbsp;rebels,&nbsp;Colombian Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez said earlier on Monday.

Talks&nbsp;between the&nbsp;ELN&nbsp;and the government of Juan Manuel Santos began in 2017 in Ecuador, later moving to Cuba, but were called off in 2019 by Santos' successor, Ivan Duque, because the&nbsp;ELN&nbsp;refused to halt hostilities and killed 22 police cadets in a bombing.

Petro has also promised to fully implement a 2016&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal with the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;(FARC)&nbsp;rebels. More than 450,000 people have been killed in&nbsp;Colombia's six decades of internal conflict.

&nbsp;

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Negotiators from the Colombian government and leftist guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) began peace talks on Monday, the first major step in President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end nearly 60 years of war.

Negotiators from the Colombian government and leftist guerrilla group the National Liberation Army (ELN) began peace talks on Monday, the first major step in President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end nearly 60 years of war. Petro, a former member of the M-19 insurgency who took office in August, has promised to bring "total peace" to Colombia by negotiating with rebels and crime gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining. "We cannot see each other as enemies, the labor we have is of reconciliation," said ELN negotiator Pablo Beltran. "We hope not to fail these expectations for change." The talks - which began in Venezuelan capital Caracas - will rotate among guarantor countries Venezuela, Cuba and Norway, according to the Colombian government. "We are committed to talks with an organization that also wants peace," said head government negotiator Otty Patino. "We are going to reach safe port...a real peace." The delegations had their first meeting on Monday, Colombia's high peace commissioner Danilo Rueda said. Previous attempts at negotiations with the ELN, which has some 2,400 combatants and was founded in 1964 by radical Catholic priests, have not advanced partly because of dissent within its ranks. Leaders have said the group is united, but it is unclear how much sway negotiators hold over active units. Much of the ELN's negotiating team is older than many of its members. The negotiations do not mean a suspension of military operations against the rebels, Colombian Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez said earlier on Monday. Talks between the ELN and the government of Juan Manuel Santos began in 2017 in Ecuador, later moving to Cuba, but were called off in 2019 by Santos' successor, Ivan Duque, because the ELN refused to halt hostilities and killed 22 police cadets in a bombing. Petro has also promised to fully implement a 2016 peace deal with the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels. More than 450,000 people have been killed in Colombia's six decades of internal conflict.

Colombia, ELN rebels start peace talks, hoping to end six decades of war

Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday.

Pledging to unite the polarised country in the fight against inequality and climate change, the former member of the M-19 guerrilla group promised to revive scuppered peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.

Saying the United States-led war on drugs has failed, he called for a new international strategy to fight drug trafficking.

During his inauguration speech, he said "I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies. I want a strong, just, and united Colombia."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-gustavo-petro-the-ex-guerilla-whos-top-contender-for-colombia-president-483749">Also read |&nbsp;Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader</a>

Petro's oath-taking ceremony was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and at least nine Latin American presidents along with 100,000 invitees.

The 62-year-old former senator had defeated conservative parties that failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas.

Highlighting that climate change must be fought internationally, Petro vowed that Colombia would transition to an economy without coal or oil.

Fueling the popularity of leftist parties in national elections, the focus of voters was turned away from the violent conflicts playing out in rural areas and gave prominence to problems like poverty and corruption by a 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

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Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday.

Promising to fight inequality and bring peace to a country long haunted by bloody feuds between the government and rebel groups, Colombia’s first leftist president was sworn into office Sunday. Pledging to unite the polarised country in the fight against inequality and climate change, the former member of the M-19 guerrilla group promised to revive scuppered peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels. Saying the United States-led war on drugs has failed, he called for a new international strategy to fight drug trafficking. During his inauguration speech, he said "I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies. I want a strong, just, and united Colombia." Also read | Who is Gustavo Petro, the ex-guerilla who's Colombia's first leftist leader Petro's oath-taking ceremony was attended by Spanish King Felipe VI and at least nine Latin American presidents along with 100,000 invitees. The 62-year-old former senator had defeated conservative parties that failed to connect with voters frustrated by rising poverty and violence against human rights leaders and environmental groups in rural areas. Highlighting that climate change must be fought internationally, Petro vowed that Colombia would transition to an economy without coal or oil. Fueling the popularity of leftist parties in national elections, the focus of voters was turned away from the violent conflicts playing out in rural areas and gave prominence to problems like poverty and corruption by a 2016 peace deal between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. ×

Former guerrilla leader takes oath as Colombia’s first leftist president

In Columbia at least 23 people were killed in clashes between armed groups, the National Liberation Army and the Revolutionary Armed of Columbia.

At least 23 dead in clashes in Arauca, Colombia

Colombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave.

"The real cause of this migration shock is the dictatorship," the right-wing leader told AFP. "We must use all the diplomatic mechanisms, all the multilateral mechanisms available to allow this dictatorship to end."

During an official visit to France from November 11-13, Duque, who has been in power since August 7, will take part in Sunday's Forum for Peace organized by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prior to his departure he urged the need for countries worldwide to fight drug trafficking, in a wide-ranging interview with AFP that also touched on peace talks with Colombia's last active guerrilla group and the election of an extreme-right leader in Brazil.

'Shared struggle'

Duque accused Maduro -- leader of Venezuela, where economic woes began in 2014 with the crash in the price of crude -- of "clinging to power and exacerbating patriotic feelings in his favour."

Maduro's government has been slapped with a range of sanctions over its crackdown on the opposition and civil society critics.

The Colombian president said its neighbours "huge humanitarian crisis" is leaking over the border: "We have received nearly a million migrants in less than two years."

"Colombia is facing a difficult situation," he said, calling on the international community to help with "significant means to face this challenge."

He echoed the need for international cooperation on the issue of drug trafficking: "All countries of the world must strengthen their policies to prevent consumption," he said."

"The fight against drugs must be a shared struggle."

Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 per cent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), according to the United Nations.

Threat of 'offensive' action

Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is just emerging from over a half century of civil war waged by guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and drug traffickers.&nbsp;

Asked about 2016's peace agreement between the ex-rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), now a political party, and the government, Duque emphasized that he "never campaigned saying that we are going to destroy the agreements."

Duque has vowed to fix "flaws" in the agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos.

He has in particular criticized the FARC deal as being too lenient in allowing former rebels accused of atrocities to serve as lawmakers.

Duque said the "most important issue is... to ensure that those holding political representation mandates, tried by transitional justice and whose human rights violations are upheld, receive proportionate sentences and leave political office."

Concerning Colombia's last active guerrilla rebels, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Duque reiterated his position that he is "ready to sit down and speak with them if, and only if, they release all the hostages" and halt all criminal activities."

"If that does not happen, we will have to act... firmly" he continued. "In a dissuasive and offensive way."

Private development

Peace talks have been suspended since the beginning of August when Santos admitted defeat in his bid to reach a conclusion before handing over power to Duque.&nbsp;

The ELN has insisted that they will not suspend their insurgency until Duque names a new team of peace negotiators to restart the Cuban-hosted talks.

Concerning Brazil's new far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, Duque said "my interest is to continue to strengthen relations with Brazil."

"Brazil is an important country for Colombia, not only because it shares a border, but for the market it represents; for its weight in regional geopolitics."

"If in Brazil, conditions are met for a government favorable to the development of the private sector, interregional trade, cross-border investments -- I think it will be a great success."

"I hope this will be President Bolsonaro's line of work."

Colombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave.

Colombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave. "The real cause of this migration shock is the dictatorship," the right-wing leader told AFP. "We must use all the diplomatic mechanisms, all the multilateral mechanisms available to allow this dictatorship to end." During an official visit to France from November 11-13, Duque, who has been in power since August 7, will take part in Sunday's Forum for Peace organized by French President Emmanuel Macron. Prior to his departure he urged the need for countries worldwide to fight drug trafficking, in a wide-ranging interview with AFP that also touched on peace talks with Colombia's last active guerrilla group and the election of an extreme-right leader in Brazil. 'Shared struggle' Duque accused Maduro -- leader of Venezuela, where economic woes began in 2014 with the crash in the price of crude -- of "clinging to power and exacerbating patriotic feelings in his favour." Maduro's government has been slapped with a range of sanctions over its crackdown on the opposition and civil society critics. The Colombian president said its neighbours "huge humanitarian crisis" is leaking over the border: "We have received nearly a million migrants in less than two years." "Colombia is facing a difficult situation," he said, calling on the international community to help with "significant means to face this challenge." He echoed the need for international cooperation on the issue of drug trafficking: "All countries of the world must strengthen their policies to prevent consumption," he said." "The fight against drugs must be a shared struggle." Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 per cent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), according to the United Nations. Threat of 'offensive' action Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is just emerging from over a half century of civil war waged by guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and drug traffickers. Asked about 2016's peace agreement between the ex-rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), now a political party, and the government, Duque emphasized that he "never campaigned saying that we are going to destroy the agreements." Duque has vowed to fix "flaws" in the agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos. He has in particular criticized the FARC deal as being too lenient in allowing former rebels accused of atrocities to serve as lawmakers. Duque said the "most important issue is... to ensure that those holding political representation mandates, tried by transitional justice and whose human rights violations are upheld, receive proportionate sentences and leave political office." Concerning Colombia's last active guerrilla rebels, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Duque reiterated his position that he is "ready to sit down and speak with them if, and only if, they release all the hostages" and halt all criminal activities." "If that does not happen, we will have to act... firmly" he continued. "In a dissuasive and offensive way." Private development Peace talks have been suspended since the beginning of August when Santos admitted defeat in his bid to reach a conclusion before handing over power to Duque. The ELN has insisted that they will not suspend their insurgency until Duque names a new team of peace negotiators to restart the Cuban-hosted talks. Concerning Brazil's new far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, Duque said "my interest is to continue to strengthen relations with Brazil." "Brazil is an important country for Colombia, not only because it shares a border, but for the market it represents; for its weight in regional geopolitics." "If in Brazil, conditions are met for a government favorable to the development of the private sector, interregional trade, cross-border investments -- I think it will be a great success." "I hope this will be President Bolsonaro's line of work."

Colombia's Duque calls for action against Venezuelan 'dictatorship'

The Colombian army killed one National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel and captured four others just ten days before the government and the insurgent group are scheduled to hold peace talks.&nbsp;

The public order and financial wings of the ELN&nbsp;in the northeastern department of Casanare were targeted, the army said on Monday.&nbsp;

Out of the four captured rebels, three were commanders, one of whom was wounded, AFP reported. &nbsp;

In a separate operation, 24 rebels from the western department of Choco were &quot;demobilised&quot; (taken out of active service), the Colombian defence ministry said in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Los 24 desmovilizados del Frente <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ResistenciaCimarron?src=hash">#ResistenciaCimarron</a> del <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Eln?src=hash">#Eln</a> en <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pizarro?src=hash">#Pizarro</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Choc%C3%B3?src=hash">#Choc&oacute;</a> entregaron su armamento y equipo de intendencia <a href="https://t.co/K0QwDVqIwd">pic.twitter.com/K0QwDVqIwd</a>
&mdash; Mindefensa Colombia (@mindefensa) <a href="https://twitter.com/mindefensa/status/788103598064427008">October 17, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(Translation: 24 Front demobilised in Choco and surrendered their weapons and equipment quartermaster.)

The ELN did not comment on the latest attack, but this could roil the peace talks&nbsp;which will take&nbsp;place on October 27&nbsp;in Ecuador&#39;s capital of Quito.&nbsp;

However, Carlos Medina, a&nbsp;political analyst at Colombia&#39;s National University, said the latest attack will not endanger the peace deal but stressed on the need to have a ceasefire in order to reduce tensions between the government and the rebels.&nbsp;

The government has a ceasefire deal with FARC but no such agreement has been signed with the ELN.&nbsp;

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been trying to end the 52-year old conflict with Colombia&#39;s two largest insurgent groups &mdash;&nbsp;the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the ELN.&nbsp;

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts&nbsp;but has since struggled to restore peace in the country, especially after Colombian voters said &#39;no&#39; to the peace deal with FARC as they felt the deal allowed rebels to go scot-free for atrocities they caused.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

The latest attack may jeopardise the prospect of a truce deal between the government and the insurgency group

The Colombian army killed one National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel and captured four others just ten days before the government and the insurgent group are scheduled to hold peace talks. The public order and financial wings of the ELN in the northeastern department of Casanare were targeted, the army said on Monday. Out of the four captured rebels, three were commanders, one of whom was wounded, AFP reported. In a separate operation, 24 rebels from the western department of Choco were "demobilised" (taken out of active service), the Colombian defence ministry said in a tweet. Los 24 desmovilizados del Frente #ResistenciaCimarron del #Eln en #Pizarro #Chocó entregaron su armamento y equipo de intendencia pic.twitter.com/K0QwDVqIwd — Mindefensa Colombia (@mindefensa) October 17, 2016 × (Translation: 24 Front demobilised in Choco and surrendered their weapons and equipment quartermaster.) The ELN did not comment on the latest attack, but this could roil the peace talks which will take place on October 27 in Ecuador's capital of Quito. However, Carlos Medina, a political analyst at Colombia's National University, said the latest attack will not endanger the peace deal but stressed on the need to have a ceasefire in order to reduce tensions between the government and the rebels. The government has a ceasefire deal with FARC but no such agreement has been signed with the ELN. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been trying to end the 52-year old conflict with Colombia's two largest insurgent groups — the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the ELN. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts but has since struggled to restore peace in the country, especially after Colombian voters said 'no' to the peace deal with FARC as they felt the deal allowed rebels to go scot-free for atrocities they caused. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Colombian army kills ELN rebel ten days before peace talks

The Colombian government is set to launch peace talks with the country&#39;s second-largest rebel group, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), on October 27, the government announced on Monday.&nbsp;

The negotiations will take place in Ecuador&#39;s capital city of Quito with both sides striving to &quot;create an environment favorable to peace&quot;, a joint statement said.&nbsp;

President Juan Manuel Santos said, &quot;We&#39;ve been seeking negotiations with the ELN for almost three years to end the armed conflict with them as well... Now that we&#39;re moving forward with the ELN, we will have total peace.&quot;&nbsp;

However, the Colombian government said talks will not proceed till all hostages are freed by the ELN.&nbsp;

Announcement of negotiations&nbsp;with ELN comes days after the government&#39;s peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was rejected by the public in a referendum. They felt the deal allowed the rebels to go scot-free for the atrocities they committed.&nbsp;

Santos was awarded a Nobel peace prize for his efforts to end the 52-year conflict between the FARC rebels and the government.&nbsp;

Red Cross&nbsp;said the ELN released a civilian hostage, identified as Nelson Alarcon, before the announcement. Alarcon, who was abducted three months back, is the third hostage to be released by the rebel group in last 14 days.&nbsp;

Talks with the rebel group began parallel to discussions with FARC.&nbsp;

&quot;Soon there will be no more civilians in the guerrillas&#39; hands. That&#39;s the deal,&quot; a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP.&nbsp;

In the statement released in Venezuela, ELN pledged to &quot;initiate the process to free hostages before October 27&quot;.

The Colombian authorities claim the insurgent group has one more hostage.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The FARC and ELN&nbsp;have been at war with the state since 1964. The ELN is about one-fourth the size of FARC, with some 1,500 fighters.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The National Liberation Army (ELN) has pledged to release all hostages before October 27, the day when the negotiations begin

The Colombian government is set to launch peace talks with the country's second-largest rebel group, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), on October 27, the government announced on Monday. The negotiations will take place in Ecuador's capital city of Quito with both sides striving to "create an environment favorable to peace", a joint statement said. President Juan Manuel Santos said, "We've been seeking negotiations with the ELN for almost three years to end the armed conflict with them as well... Now that we're moving forward with the ELN, we will have total peace." However, the Colombian government said talks will not proceed till all hostages are freed by the ELN. Announcement of negotiations with ELN comes days after the government's peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was rejected by the public in a referendum. They felt the deal allowed the rebels to go scot-free for the atrocities they committed. Santos was awarded a Nobel peace prize for his efforts to end the 52-year conflict between the FARC rebels and the government. Red Cross said the ELN released a civilian hostage, identified as Nelson Alarcon, before the announcement. Alarcon, who was abducted three months back, is the third hostage to be released by the rebel group in last 14 days. Talks with the rebel group began parallel to discussions with FARC. "Soon there will be no more civilians in the guerrillas' hands. That's the deal," a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP. In the statement released in Venezuela, ELN pledged to "initiate the process to free hostages before October 27". The Colombian authorities claim the insurgent group has one more hostage. The FARC and ELN have been at war with the state since 1964. The ELN is about one-fourth the size of FARC, with some 1,500 fighters. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Colombia to launch peace talks with second-largest rebel group