Colombia government says will not unilaterally end ELN peace talks

FILE PHOTO: Pablo Beltran, head of leftist guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN), speaks with members of the media, announcing the second round of peace talks with Colombia's government for this year, in Caracas, Venezuela January 21, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's government will not unilaterally break peace talks with rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN), its peace delegation said on Thursday.

A ceasefire between the two sides expired at the start of this month and Colombia's government has said the military and police have been instructed to restart operations against the rebel group.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin)