The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have declared a unilateral ceasefire starting from 20 December and called for a formal armistice with the Colombian government.
Previous calls for a bilateral truce between the two sides have been rejected. Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos has refused to suspend military action against FARC, claiming that any pause in the fighting will give them a chance to rearm.
FARC however, released a statement on its website saying "we have resolved to declare a unilateral ceasefire and end to hostilities for an indefinite time, which should transform into an armistice."
"The coming months are fundamental. ... It's nothing more nor less than a now or never scenario," the statement said. "We want to overcome these useless bloody episodes."
The group also called on the United Nations, the Red Cross, regional intergovernmental organisations or the Catholic Church to come forward and certify the ceasefire.
However, FARC also warned that any Colombian government attacks would end the ceasefire. "This unilateral ceasefire, which we hope will be prolonged in time, will only end if it is determined that our guerrilla structures have been the object of an attack by the military," it said.
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