Bogota, April 9 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Peace advocates rallied across Colombia on Thursday amid ongoing peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas.

Initially called by Bogota's Mayor Gustavo Petro, the nationwide rallies have received the support of peace activists across the country. Thursday's rallies are an expression of solidarity with the millions of Colombians directly affected by the country's civil war.

Organizers also say they hope to pressure the Colombian government and FARC to agree to a ceasefire. The FARC have repeatedly announced unilateral cease-fires, though government forces have been hesitant to reciprocate until a final peace deal is reached.

Both sides have been engaged in peace talks in Havana since late 2012 . Successive Colombian governments have been at war with the FARC for over five decades, in what is South America's longest armed conflict. The conflict has claimed more than 220,000 lives with many more displaced from their land.