Havana

Colombia is set to begin formal negotiations on 27 October in Havana, Cuba, with the country’s second-largest rebel group, the National Liberation Army or ELN, the UN has confirmed.

The announcement comes after two years of exploratory negotiations between the left-wing rebel group and the Government.

It also follows the rejection in a vote by the Colombia people of a landmark peace agreement signed between the FARC movement, the country’s oldest and largest rebel group.

An agreement to release child soldiers serving with one of Colombia’s main armed opposition groups has been welcomed by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The Government of Colombia and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) reached the deal in Havana, Cuba, on Sunday.

Under the agreement, FARC will release children in its ranks who are younger than 15.

The two sides will also prepare a “roadmap” to free all other children under the age of 18.