Colombia's Marxist rebels have declared a two-month unilateral ceasefire, marking the first truce in over ten years. This comes as peace talks in Cuba aim to bring an end to fifty years of conflict. President Juan Manuel Santos' government has stated that military operations will continue until a final peace agreement is reached with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). FARC has announced that they will cease all offensive military actions and sabotage against infrastructure until January 20. Lead rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez described this decision as a crucial step towards creating a conducive atmosphere for successful negotiations. This ceasefire indicates the rebels' willingness to work towards a positive outcome, despite previous concerns raised by their leadership about the need for significant changes to Colombia's political system. The opposing sides arrived at the talks in fancy black cars and will be meeting almost daily until negotiations are over. A crowd of journalists surrounded Marquez, who stood with other FARC representatives, including Dutch national Tanja Nijmeijer, in Havana's most upscale neighborhood. Some FARC members wore hats and shirts with Simon Trinidad's name, a guerrilla negotiator currently imprisoned in the US. Others cheered for the Army of the People. Humberto de la Calle, the leader of the Colombian government delegation, greeted the crowd with a smile and wave but did not make any remarks. Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon expressed skepticism about the FARC's ceasefire pledge during a statement from Bogota. He emphasized that security forces have a responsibility to pursue all criminals who have violated the constitution. Despite hoping that the FARC will keep their promise, Pinzon pointed out that history has shown the terrorist group's lack of compliance. The war in Colombia has lasted 50 years, resulting in numerous casualties, displacements, and damage to infrastructure. Failure of the current peace process would lead to more years of conflict, tarnishing the country's reputation and hindering its goals for foreign investment and regional influence. Colombia has struggled to resolve its most pressing domestic issue for years. Residents in the western Cauca province, which is known for being heavily impacted by war, were pleased about the FARC ceasefire. Orlando Ramos, a resident in Miranda, Cauca, expressed his hope that the ceasefire would be permanent rather than just lasting for a short time. The FARC's announcement of the ceasefire could be seen as a relief for oil and mining companies, as they have been frequent targets of FARC attacks in recent months. These attacks were aimed at disrupting President Santos' main source of international revenue. The ongoing war in Colombia costs the country's economy 1 to 2 percentage points of gross domestic product annually, and also poses a threat to large areas of arable land due to ongoing combat and landmines. Analyst Heather Berkman from the Eurasia Group believes that a peace agreement with the FARC could attract more sectors and investors to Colombia. The potential for agricultural production could significantly impact the country's export sector, especially as farmers of all sizes could now utilize land that was previously inaccessible due to security issues. Santos is aiming for an agreement within nine months, but the rebels believe it may take longer. The two parties will need to address various challenging issues in their five-point agenda, starting with rural development. Despite previous failed peace attempts, both the government and the FARC are hopeful that this time could yield different results. However, not everyone shares this optimism. Felix Lafaurie, leader of Colombia's National Federation of Cattle Ranchers, cautioned on Colombian radio that the recent announcement should be viewed skeptically. He expressed hope that it signals the FARC's good intentions and not a deceptive tactic. Despite widespread support for the peace process among Colombians, many doubt its ultimate success. President Santos' political future hinges on the outcome of the talks, which are considered a major risk. The conflict originated in 1964 when the FARC formed as a communist movement seeking to address Colombia's deep social disparities. During the 1990s, the FARC held sway over large areas of the country. However, in the early 2000s, with billions of dollars in US aid, better intelligence, and increased mobility, the government started to gain the upper hand in the conflict. In recent years, the FARC has suffered the loss of several key leaders and has been forced back into remote jungle hideouts. Despite these setbacks, the rebels remain a formidable force and continue to launch attacks on security forces and infrastructure. Past peace talks have failed due to ongoing violence, such as the government ending negotiations in 2002 when the FARC hijacked an airplane during the last attempt from 1999 to 2002. Juan Fernando Cristo, a senator for the Liberal Party, stated that the FARC has listened to the concerns of many Colombians who have doubted their commitment to ending the war due to past actions. He believes that the FARC's decision to declare a unilateral truce should give us hope for the future negotiations.