TIMELINE

1964: FARC FORMED

The government launches an offensive against communist groups

On May 27, rebel commander Manuel Marulanda Velez flees the assault with 47 other men and forms FARC

1984: FIRST PEACE BID

On March 28, conservative President Belisario Betancur launches peace talks with FARC under a bilateral truce

The initiative breaks down in 1987 after right- wing paramilitaries assassinate a presidential candidate from a party allied to FARC

Further peace efforts collapse in 1991 and 2002

1996: HOSTAGES TAKEN

On August 30, FARC takes 60 Colombian soldiers hostage at a military base

The raid marks the start of its strategy of mass hostage- takings

2000: ‘ PLAN COLOMBIA’

In June, the US and Colombian President Andres Pastrana launch a joint anti- narcotics strategy

It is later broadened to include anti- guerrilla operations

Washington has spent more than $ 10 billion on arming and training Colombian forces

2002: BETANCOURT CAPTURED

In February, FARC kidnaps Franco- Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, a candidate for President

During her six- year captivity in the jungle, she becomes an international symbol of the conflict

She is rescued by the military in 2008

2011: FARC LEADER KILLED

FARC’s top commander Alfonso Cano is killed in a raid by the Colombian Army on November 4

Cano is replaced by current leader Timoleon Jimenez, who reaches out to the government for peace talks

2012: NEW PEACE TALKS

On October 4, President Juan Manuel Santos’ government launches new peace talks with the FARC

2016: PEACE DEAL

On June 23, FARC and the government sign a definitive ceasefire and disarmament agreement

On September 26, they sign the full peace accord