Colombia's Marxist rebels have announced a two-month unilateral ceasefire, marking the first truce in over ten years. This ceasefire comes as peace talks in Cuba aim to end a fifty-year-long war. President Juan Manuel Santos' government has stated that military operations will continue until a final peace deal is reached with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The FARC has agreed to stop all offensive military operations and acts of sabotage against infrastructure from midnight on Monday until January 20. Lead rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez believes this decision will help create a more positive atmosphere for the talks. This ceasefire shows that the rebels are committed to reaching a successful resolution, despite previous speeches calling for major changes to Colombia's political system. The opposing groups arrived at the negotiations in sleek black cars and will be meeting almost daily until the talks are over. A crowd of journalists surrounded Marquez, a bearded and bespectacled FARC member, along with other delegates, including Dutch national Tanja Nijmeijer, in Havana's most luxurious neighborhood. Some FARC members were wearing caps and T-shirts of Simon Trinidad, a guerrilla negotiator imprisoned in the US, while others cheered "Long Live the Army of the People." Humberto de la Calle, the head of the Colombian government delegation, smiled and waved as he entered the talks but did not make any comments. Speaking from Bogota, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon expressed skepticism about the FARC's ceasefire pledge, citing the group's history of not honoring agreements. He emphasized that security forces have a duty to pursue criminals who violate the constitution. The ongoing conflict in Colombia, which has lasted for 50 years, has resulted in numerous casualties, displaced millions of people, and caused significant damage to infrastructure. If the current peace process fails, it could lead to more years of fighting and further damage Colombia's reputation as a country seeking foreign investment and regional influence but struggling to address its internal issues. Residents in the war-torn western Cauca province of Colombia expressed joy and hope for the FARC ceasefire, with one resident, Orlando Ramos, stating on local television that they hope it will be a permanent cessation of hostilities rather than just a temporary pause. The ceasefire announcement could potentially benefit oil and mining companies, which have been targeted in recent FARC attacks aimed at undermining the country's main source of international revenue. The ongoing conflict is estimated to cost the Colombian economy 1 to 2 percentage points of GDP annually and has rendered large areas of arable land unsafe due to combat or landmines. A peace agreement with the FARC is seen as a potential catalyst for attracting more sectors and investors to Colombia, according to Heather Berkman, a Latin America analyst at the Eurasia Group. The potential for agricultural production could significantly impact the country's export industry, especially with the possibility of small-scale and large farmers utilizing previously inaccessible land due to security concerns. Santos is pushing for an agreement within nine months, but the rebels believe the process will be more time-consuming. Both parties have a challenging agenda ahead, starting with rural development. Despite past failed peace efforts, there is optimism from both the government and the FARC that this time could bring success. However, not everyone shares this positive outlook. Felix Lafaurie, the leader of Colombia's National Federation of Cattle Ranchers, cautioned that the recent announcement should be approached with skepticism. He expressed hope that the FARC's actions would demonstrate goodwill rather than leading to further disputes on important issues. Despite widespread support for the peace process in Colombia, there is doubt that it will ultimately succeed. President Santos' political future hinges on the outcome of the talks, which are considered to be a significant risk. The conflict stems from the emergence of the FARC in 1964 as a communist movement aimed at addressing Colombia's social inequality. During the 1990s, the FARC held control over significant portions of the country. However, in the early 2000s, the tide of the war began to turn in favor of the government due to billions of dollars in US aid, improved intelligence, and increased mobility. The FARC has suffered losses of several top commanders and has been forced into remote jungle hideouts in recent years. Despite this, they remain a formidable force and continue to launch attacks on security forces and economic infrastructure. Previous peace talks failed due to violence, with negotiations being broken off by the government in the last attempt from 1999 to 2002 after the FARC hijacked an airplane. Juan Fernando Cristo, a senator for the Liberal Party, stated that the FARC has taken into consideration the concerns of many Colombians who have been doubtful about their commitment to ending the war due to their past actions. He believes that the FARC's decision to implement a unilateral truce should be seen as a positive development for the upcoming negotiations.