Colombia sees peace with ELN rebels harder than FARC

Rebels of the National Liberation Army (ELN) hold a banner in the northwestern jungles in Colombia, August 30, 2017. Picture taken August 30, 2017. REUTERS/Federico Rios

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Negotiating peace with Colombia's largest active rebel group, the ELN, will be tougher than the recent successful talks with FARC guerrillas due to the ELN's diffuse chain of command and radical ideology, the chief government negotiator said.

President Juan Manuel Santos' administration and the National Liberation Army (ELN) in February began negotiations in neighbouring Ecuador that seek to end the role the group has played in a five-decade conflict that has left over 220,000 dead and millions displaced.