Colombia's ELN rebels say they have not agreed to ceasefire

FILE PHOTO: Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks to journalists about his government's first 100 days, in Bogota, Colombia November 15, 2022. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A ceasefire announced over the weekend by Colombian President Gustavo Petro is a proposal to be discussed at peace negotiations and is not in force, the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group said on Tuesday.

Petro, himself a former guerrilla, has pledged to end the Andean nation's six-decade internal conflict, which has left at least 450,000 dead. His government held a first round of peace talks with the ELN in December.