Colombia's Marxist rebels have declared a two-month unilateral ceasefire, marking the first break in hostilities in over ten years. The ceasefire comes as peace talks in Cuba aim to end a fifty-year-long conflict. While the Colombian government has stated that military operations will continue until a final peace agreement is reached with the FARC rebels, the rebel group has pledged to halt offensive military actions and sabotage against infrastructure until January 20. The FARC negotiator, Ivan Marquez, described the ceasefire as a significant step towards creating a conducive atmosphere for successful negotiations. This move indicates the rebels' willingness to work towards a successful conclusion to the talks, despite previous calls for major changes to Colombia's political system. The opposing groups arrived at the meetings in fancy black cars and will convene almost daily until the negotiations are over. Journalists crowded around the bearded and bespectacled Marquez, who was accompanied by other FARC representatives, including Dutch national Tanja Nijmeijer, in Havana's most luxurious neighborhood. Some FARC members sported caps and T-shirts of Simon Trinidad, a guerrilla negotiator currently imprisoned in the United States. Others cheered "Long Live the Army of the People." The leader of the Colombian government delegation, Humberto de la Calle, greeted the crowd with a smile and a wave but did not make any statements. Speaking from Bogota, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon expressed skepticism regarding the FARC's ceasefire pledge, stating that security forces are obligated to pursue criminals who have violated the constitution. He acknowledged the possibility that the FARC may not fulfill their promise, citing the group's history of non-compliance. The ongoing war in Colombia has resulted in numerous casualties, displacement of millions, and significant damage to infrastructure, making it Latin America's longest running insurgency. Failure of the current peace process would prolong the conflict and damage the country's reputation, hindering foreign investment and regional influence. Colombia has struggled to address its most pressing domestic issue for years. Residents in the western Cauca province, which has been heavily affected by war, were pleased with the FARC ceasefire. Orlando Ramos, a resident in Miranda, Cauca, expressed his hope that the ceasefire would be permanent, rather than just lasting two months. The announcement of the ceasefire could provide relief for oil and mining companies, which have been targeted by the FARC in recent months. This conflict has had a significant economic impact on Colombia, costing the country 1 to 2 percentage points of GDP annually. Additionally, large areas of land have become unsafe for farming due to the ongoing combat and presence of landmines. A peace agreement with the FARC has the potential to attract more investors to Colombia, according to Eurasia Group's Latin America analyst Heather Berkman. "The potential for agricultural production to transform the country's export industry is significant, especially with the possibility of both small-scale and larger farmers utilizing previously inaccessible land due to security concerns. Santos is pushing for a nine-month agreement timeline, but the rebels believe the process will be lengthier. The two parties will need to address several challenging issues outlined in their five-point agenda, starting with rural development. Past peace efforts have not succeeded, but there is hope from both the government and the FARC that this time could yield different results. However, not everyone shares this optimistic view." Felix Lafaurie, the leader of Colombia's National Federation of Cattle Ranchers, cautioned listeners on Colombian radio to be skeptical of the announcement. He expressed hope that it would demonstrate the FARC's good intentions rather than lead to further conflicts. Despite widespread support for the peace process in Colombia, there is a prevailing belief that it will not succeed. President Santos is taking a significant risk with these negotiations, and their outcome could impact the 2014 election. The roots of the conflict trace back to 1964, when the FARC formed as a communist movement aiming to address Colombia's social disparities. In the 1990s, the FARC dominated large areas of the country. However, in the early 2000s, significant US aid, improved intelligence, and greater mobility began to shift the balance of power in favor of the government. The FARC has suffered the loss of several key leaders and has been forced into remote jungle hideouts in recent years. Despite this, they remain a formidable force and continue to carry out attacks on security forces and economic targets. Past peace talks have failed due to ongoing violence, such as the hijacking of an airplane by the FARC in the last attempt from 1999 to 2002, which led the government to end negotiations. "The FARC has listened to the concerns of numerous Colombians who have been doubtful about its commitment to ending the war, considering its history," stated Juan Fernando Cristo, a senator representing the Liberal Party. "The choice to declare a one-sided ceasefire should make us hopeful about the future negotiations."