Colombia, ELN rebels have made first steps toward ceasefire

Negotiators from Colombia's government and members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group attend the close of the second round of peace dialogues, in Mexico City, Mexico, March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Romero

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's government and the left-wing ELN guerrilla group have taken the first steps toward a bilateral, temporary ceasefire, the heads of their delegations at peace talks said on Friday, as they closed their second cycle of negotiations in Mexico City.

The ELN is Colombia's oldest remaining rebel group, and the talks are the cornerstone of efforts by leftist President Gustavo Petro - himself once a member of the now-demobilized M-19 insurgents - to bring "total peace" to Colombia.