Colombia says rebels must free 19 captives for peace talks to resume

Colombia's High Peace Commissioner, Miguel Ceballos, speaks to Reuters in Bogota, Colombia August 31, 2018. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Marxist ELN rebels must free all 19 hostages it holds before President Ivan Duque, who is evaluating peace talks with the group, will resume dialogue, a senior government official said on Friday.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) was in negotiations with the administration of former President Juan Manuel Santos since February 2017.