Colombia’s largest rebel group has announced a unilateral two-month ceasefire at the outset of a new round of peace talks with the government. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has been fighting the government for nearly 50 years. Talks between the two sides began in Norway last month and resumed Monday in Cuba. FARC negotiator Iván Márquez announced the rebels would halt fighting.

Iván Márquez: “All guerrilla units in the entire national territory have been ordered to cease all manner of offensive military operations against public forces and acts of sabotage on public or private infrastructure, from the period starting November 20 at midnight until midnight on January 20, 2013.”

The Colombian government has refused to sign on to the ceasefire, saying its military operations will continue.