FARC announces unilateral cease-fire in Colombia

Humberto de la Calle, second from left, head of Colombia's government peace negotiation team, is accompanied by Sergio Jaramillo, left, and Gustavo Adolfo Bell Lemus, second from right, as they are escorted by a Cuban security official, right, to peace talks in Havana, Cuba, Nov. 19, 2012. / AP

HAVANA A top Colombian rebel negotiator has announced a unilateral cease-fire at the start of peace talks in Havana.

Ivan Marquez says the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have decided to stop all military operations and acts of sabotage from midnight Monday through Jan. 20.

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Marquez made the announcement Monday before heading in with the rest of the FARC delegation for talks at a Havana convention center.

"This political decision of the FARC-EP is a decided contribution to strengthening the climate of understanding necessary for the sides to begin the dialogue, achieving the result desired by all Colombians," Marquez said.

Colombian government negotiators have not yet responded to the overture.

Cuba is playing host to the talks in Havana following an initial round of discussions in Oslo, Norway. The FARC has been at war with the Colombian government for nearly half a century.