Havana, July 23 (RHC) -- Representatives of the Colombian government and the FARC, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army, are holding talks today in Havana as a new round of talks gets underway.

The agenda of the current negotiations includes further discussion on the issue of victims and the de-escalation of the armed conflict, after reaching important agreements on agricultural matters, political participation and illicit crops.

It has also been announced that 17 members of the FARC representation in Havana will be routinely replaced to allow new delegates of the rebel forces to participate in the negotiation process.

This phase of talks begins in a context marked by the unilateral truce adopted since Monday by the FARC-EP, and the stated commitment of both parties to advance on negotiations and reach a final agreement.

In related news, leaders of 14 Colombian religious groups have asked President Juan Manuel Santos to advance on the peace process with the FARC-EP and put an early end to the civil war that has lasted for more than half a century in Colombia.