UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated the government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas on the agreement they announced in Cuba Friday on a six-month bilateral national ceasefire, a UN spokesperson said.

Guterres also praised the two sides for agreeing on a mechanism to define the participation of Colombian society in the peace process, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, in a statement.

These are important steps forward that send hope to the Colombian people, especially the communities who are most affected by conflict, the statement said.

Guterres voiced confidence that the parties will work together and in good faith with the determination to comply with their obligations under the ceasefire and noted positively their intention to broaden its scope in the future, it added.

Both sides agreed to participate in the process of constructing peace in society and get prepared for a bilateral, national, and temporary ceasefire agreement.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the first commander of the ELN, Antonio Garcia, and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attended the ceremony.

"In May 2025, the war of decades between the ELN and the state will cease for good," Petro said, adding that violence has harmed the construction of Colombia as a nation.

Meanwhile, Garcia underscored the importance of the national agreement that promotes the agenda for change in the country, saying this peace process will contribute to the dignity of the Colombian people.

The fourth round of talks between the Colombian government and the ELN is scheduled to take place in Venezuela from August 14 to September 4.

"We ask Colombians not to stop and put their hearts in favor of peace in Colombia," said Diaz-Canel, adding that Latin American countries deserve to live in peace with social justice and development without external interference or imposition.

The ELN is Colombia's oldest remaining guerrilla group. The first round of talks took place in Venezuela in November 2022, followed by a second round in Mexico in February 2023.