Clashes Between Colombian Guerrilla Groups Claim Nine Lives 

The country has seen more than five decades of conflict between the government on one side and leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug cartels, and other criminal groups on the other

Clashes Between Colombian Guerrilla Groups Claim Nine Lives 

As many as nine people were killed and five others were injured as deadly clashes erupted in Colombia, officials said Monday.

Clashes occurred despite the progressing peace negotiations between two guerrilla factions to end the decades-long war in the nation.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) and FARC dissidents engaged in combat, according to the governor of the eastern Aruca district.

It wasn't made apparent if the victims were civilians or not.

On Monday, Colombia's last recognized guerrilla group, ELN, wrapped up a fourth round of discussion with the government in Venezuela, announcing an agreement on humanitarian aid for conflict-hit areas.

Just after the talks ended, ELN fighters were reported to have been engaged in fighting with members of the dissident so-called Central General Staff (EMC) in the municipality of Puerto Rondon near the Venezuela border since the weekend.

Talks with the ELN form part of leftist President Gustavo Petr's stated quest for "total peace" in Colombia, which also envisions negotiations with FARC dissidents.

The country has seen more than five decades of conflict between the government on one side and leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries, drug cartels, and other criminal groups on the other.

The Arauca department, a hub for the trafficking of cocaine and illegally mined minerals due to a paucity of security forces, has been the scene of repeated violent confrontations.