This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19393096#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Colombia rebels 'to hold peace talks' with government Colombia government to hold peace talks with Farc rebels
(about 5 hours later)
The Colombian government and the country's largest rebel group, the Farc, have signed an agreement to begin peace talks, according to Latin American media reports. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has confirmed his government will hold exploratory peace talks with the Farc rebel group, the Farc.
The regional media network Telesur said the two sides had signed a formal agreement in the Cuban capital, Havana, to begin talks in October. In an address broadcast on state TV, Mr Santos said he had fulfilled his "commitment to seek peace".
The Colombian government has neither confirmed nor denied the reports. Media reports say the two sides have signed a deal in the Cuban capital, Havana, to begin talks in October.
The left-wing rebels have been fighting the government for almost five decades. The left-wing Farc rebels have been fighting the Colombian government for almost five decades.
Last August, the Farc leader at the time, Alfonso Cano, said the group was ready for peace negotiations.Last August, the Farc leader at the time, Alfonso Cano, said the group was ready for peace negotiations.
Since then, rumours have circulated about secret meetings between government representatives and the rebels in the Cuban capital.Since then, rumours have circulated about secret meetings between government representatives and the rebels in the Cuban capital.
According to Telesur News Director Jorge Enrique Botero, the first round of talks would be held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 5 October. According to the regional media network Telesur the first round of talks would be held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 5 October.
The negotiating team would then continue holding talks in Havana "until a peace deal to put an end to five decades of conflict" was agreed, Mr Botero said. Negotiators would then continue holding talks in Havana, it added.
Decades of conflictDecades of conflict
Upon taking office just over two years ago, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos signalled his willingness to open peace talks. Upon taking office just over two years ago, Mr Santos signalled his willingness to open peace talks.
He has come under severe criticism for this from his predecessor in office, Alvaro Uribe. He has come under severe criticism for this, from his predecessor, Alvaro Uribe.
The Farc also re-stated their openness to talks in a letter sent to a non-governmental organisation in March.The Farc also re-stated their openness to talks in a letter sent to a non-governmental organisation in March.
Following the death of Alfonso Cano in a bombing raid, Farc's new leader, known as Timochenko, said it was "worth betting on peace".Following the death of Alfonso Cano in a bombing raid, Farc's new leader, known as Timochenko, said it was "worth betting on peace".
Colombian security forces have achieved a series of successes against the rebel group in the past years, killing some of its key leaders and arresting many others.Colombian security forces have achieved a series of successes against the rebel group in the past years, killing some of its key leaders and arresting many others.
But in recent months, the rebels have stepped up their guerrilla campaign, bombing electricity pylons and bridges and disrupting key infrastructure.But in recent months, the rebels have stepped up their guerrilla campaign, bombing electricity pylons and bridges and disrupting key infrastructure.
Colombian security forces estimate that the rebels have some 8,000 guerrillas fighting Latin America's longest-running insurgency.Colombian security forces estimate that the rebels have some 8,000 guerrillas fighting Latin America's longest-running insurgency.