Colombia and Marxist rebels will start peace talks on Wednesday as planned after logistical hiccups delayed their departure, Colombia's government said.
After nearly five decades, President Juan Manuel Santos, under criticism for a perceived deterioration in security, has launched the latest attempt to negotiate a deal with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels.
Santos' office said the rebels and the government continued to hold meetings despite the delays, but pushed back a scheduled press conference to Thursday from Wednesday.
“We reiterate compliance with the date for peace (talks) in Colombia of October 17, developing an agenda that will culminate on the 18th in the afternoon Oslo time with the public installation and press conference,” the statement said.
The two sides agreed in August to begin negotiations in Oslo in the first two weeks of October before moving to Cuba for the substantive part of their talks, the latest attempt after several failed peace negotiations since the 1980s.