Bogota, January 23 (RHC-NNN) -- The Colombian army has stepped up military offensive against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), "demobilizing" 39 rebels altogether in operations over the past 24 hours across the country.

On Wednesday, the government forces captured five FARC members in the municipality of Vista Hermosa in the central Meta department, local El Nuevo Siglo news website reported.

In a different operation, the army caught eight rebels, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced from Spain, where he is currently visiting. Santos welcomed the military's commitment to weakening the rebel group.

Seven other FARC members were "demobilized" in the San Miguel municipality of Planadas. Despite the fighting, the government and the FARC rebels are in peace talks in Havana, with the aim of putting an end to the five-decade conflict.