2nd LD: Colombian gov't, ELN rebels to hold peace talks

The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country's second-largest guerrilla group, will begin peace talks on Oct. 27 in Quito, Ecuador, the two sides announced Monday in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

The two sides have worked out an agenda, including the participation of society in the peace process, democratic reforms, and reparations for victims, according to a joint statement.

The announcement came on the heels of a peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country's largest rebel group.

The peace deal obviously has prompted the ELN to negotiations with the government although the peace deal with FARC was rejected in a referendum on Oct. 2.

Immediately after the referendum results were revealed, the ELN said that despite the outcome, it called on Colombians to continue to tirelessly fight for peace with change.

As a goodwill gesture, the ELN released a captive to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) earlier Monday.

"I am pleased to report that the person who was freed is currently on the way to being reunited with his loved ones. The neutrality of the ICRC and the confidential dialogue between the parties involved in the armed conflict were crucial to the success of this operation," said Christoph Harnisch, head of the Red Cross delegation in Colombia. Endi