Colombia, ELN rebels extend ceasefire with view toward longer renewal

Colombia, ELN rebels extend ceasefire with view toward longer renewal

The government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels said on Monday they would extend a bilateral ceasefire for seven days while they finish evaluating a much longer extension to the measure.

The two sides are holding peace talks aimed at ending the guerrilla group's part in 60 years of armed conflict. They began a six-month ceasefire in August 2023, which expires on Monday.

"Once the evaluation of the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire and the current cycle (of talks) is finished, the extension will be signed," the two sides said in a joint statement from Havana, where they are holding the current round of talks. (This story has been corrected to rectify the number of days to seven from five in paragraph 1)