The Colombian government has rejected calls for a ceasefire from the country’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, ahead of peace talks beginning next month. FARC commander Mauricio Jaramillo made the appeal at a news conference in Cuba.

Mauricio Jaramillo: “We are going to raise the possibility of a ceasefire. Better said, we are going to fight for it. We are going to discuss it at the table. It is one of the first points we will make. We have a defined point, which is land, but we are also going to talk about a bilateral ceasefire.”

Responding to FARC’s call, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said his government will continue military operations against the rebels until a deal can be reached. Talks between the two sides are due to begin in Norway next month.