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FARC declares unilateral ceasefire -- first in 50 years

"We have resolved to declare a unilateral ceasefire and end to hostilities for an indefinite time," the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) announced from Havana.

By JC Finley
Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos, pictured in 2013, has not yet agreed to suspend military action against FARC following the rebel group's announced unilateral ceasefire. File Photo by Andrew Harrer/Pool
Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos, pictured in 2013, has not yet agreed to suspend military action against FARC following the rebel group's announced unilateral ceasefire. File Photo by Andrew Harrer/Pool | License Photo

BOGOTA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has announced a unilateral ceasefire with the Colombian government to go into effect Thursday.

FARC chief negotiator Ivan Marquez released a statement from Havana regarding the decision, which marks the first such move by the rebel group in the history of its conflict with the government.

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"We have resolved to declare a unilateral ceasefire and end to hostilities for an indefinite time."

Marquez cautioned that the ceasefire was not without conditions. "This unilateral ceasefire, which we hope will be prolonged in time, will only end if it is determined that our guerrilla structures have been the object of an attack by the military."

While President Juan Manuel Santos has not yet agreed to suspend military action against FARC, the rebel group's conditional unilateral ceasefire could pressure the government into a bilateral ceasefire agreement, analysts speculated.

Peace talks between FARC and the government have been going on in Cuba since 2012. About 220,000 people have died in the 50-year-old conflict.

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