Petro announces ceasefire agreement with the ELN and other armed groups in Colombia

(Credit: DANIEL MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

(CNN Spanish) -- 

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, reported this Saturday that a "bilateral cessation" agreement was reached for a period of six months with the National Liberation Army (ELN), which starts on January 1 of 2023.

Petro cited that the agreement also includes the Segunda Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia and the Sierra Nevada Self-Defense Forces.

The official communiqué indicates: "The cessation will have as its main objective to suspend the humanitarian impact on the population... suspend offensive actions and avoid armed incidents between the Public Force and organizations outside the law."

In addition, the president said that this agreement is extendable depending on the progress of the negotiations.

"Total peace will be a reality," added Petro.

CNN has not yet had access to the cited groups' positions on the deal.

• The Colombian government considers the ELN's announcement of a truce for Christmas and the end of the year as a positive gesture of peace

Gustavo Petro