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 3 Version 4
Colombia agrees to hold peace talks with Farc rebels Colombia agrees to hold peace talks with Farc rebels
(35 minutes later)
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has confirmed his government is holding exploratory talks with the country's largest rebel group, the Farc.Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has confirmed his government is holding exploratory talks with the country's largest rebel group, the Farc.
In an address on state TV, Mr Santos said he was fulfilling his "duty to seek peace". Media reports say a deal on further talks was reached in Cuba.In an address on state TV, Mr Santos said he was fulfilling his "duty to seek peace". Media reports say a deal on further talks was reached in Cuba.
The Farc has been fighting the Colombian government since 1964.The Farc has been fighting the Colombian government since 1964.
The president said the second biggest group, the ELN, had also indicated a readiness to talk. The president said the second biggest rebel group, the ELN, had also indicated a readiness to talk.
'Learning from mistakes''Learning from mistakes'
Mr Santos gave no details about the exploratory talks with the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).Mr Santos gave no details about the exploratory talks with the left-wing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
According to the regional media network Telesur negotiators from the two sides signed a preliminary agreement in the Cuban capital, Havana, on Monday. According to the regional media network Telesur, negotiators from the two sides signed a preliminary agreement in the Cuban capital Havana on Monday.
Telesur said the first round of peace talks would be held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on 5 October. Negotiators would then continue holding talks in Havana, it added. Telesur said the first round of peace talks would be held in the Norwegian capital Oslo on 5 October. Negotiators would then continue holding talks in Havana, it added.
Referring to previous failed talks with the Farc during the government of then-president Andres Pastrana, Mr Santos said his government had "learned from the mistakes committed in the past".Referring to previous failed talks with the Farc during the government of then-president Andres Pastrana, Mr Santos said his government had "learned from the mistakes committed in the past".
Mr Santos said military operations would continue and that "each centimetre of the country would have a military presence".Mr Santos said military operations would continue and that "each centimetre of the country would have a military presence".
As part of the peace talks launched in 1998, Mr Pastrana had granted the Farc a safe haven the size of Switzerland in the south-east to help move peace talks along.As part of the peace talks launched in 1998, Mr Pastrana had granted the Farc a safe haven the size of Switzerland in the south-east to help move peace talks along.
The zone was off-limits to the army and the rebels used it to train and regroup.The zone was off-limits to the army and the rebels used it to train and regroup.
Mr Pastrana ordered the rebels out of their safe haven after the peace talks failed in February 2002, but part of the area remains a rebel stronghold to this day.Mr Pastrana ordered the rebels out of their safe haven after the peace talks failed in February 2002, but part of the area remains a rebel stronghold to this day.
Farc approachesFarc approaches
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.
Upon taking office just over two years ago, Mr 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, 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 March. Following the death of Alfonso Cano in a bombing raid, the Farc's new leader, known as Timochenko, said it was "worth betting on peace".The Farc also re-stated their openness to talks in March. Following the death of Alfonso Cano in a bombing raid, the 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 recent 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 recent years, killing some of its key leaders and arresting many others.
But officials estimate that some 8,000 Farc guerrillas are still fighting Latin America's longest-running insurgency.But officials estimate that some 8,000 Farc guerrillas are still fighting Latin America's longest-running insurgency.
Referring to the ELN, Mr Santos said that if the group was serious about an end to the armed conflict, it too could be part of peace talks.Referring to the ELN, Mr Santos said that if the group was serious about an end to the armed conflict, it too could be part of peace talks.
In a recent interview, ELN leader Nicolas Rodriguez said he was willing to hold negotiations but refused to end the the group's campaign of kidnapping and bomb attacks ahead of any talks.In a recent interview, ELN leader Nicolas Rodriguez said he was willing to hold negotiations but refused to end the the group's campaign of kidnapping and bomb attacks ahead of any talks.
While it is too early to say whether this latest attempt at talks will work, it does seem as if Colombia is ready for peace, Peter Hakim from US-based think-tank Inter-American Dialogue told the BBC.While it is too early to say whether this latest attempt at talks will work, it does seem as if Colombia is ready for peace, Peter Hakim from US-based think-tank Inter-American Dialogue told the BBC.
"One senses that both sides see themselves at an impasse. The guerrillas are not going to be able to do much more than...hit-and-run activities. The government, to wipe out the last group of guerrillas, it's going to be very costly," he said. "One senses that both sides see themselves at an impasse. The guerrillas are not going to be able to do much more than... hit-and-run activities. The government, to wipe out the last group of guerrillas, it's going to be very costly," he said.
Are you in Colombia? What is your reaction to the prospect of peace talks? Have you been affected by the conflict between the Farc and the government? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below.Are you in Colombia? What is your reaction to the prospect of peace talks? Have you been affected by the conflict between the Farc and the government? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below.