Nine ELN rebels die in clashes with the Colombian Navy.
The clashes occurred just two weeks before peace negotiations between the government and the ELN were set to continue in Mexico.
BOGOTA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Fighting in a key drug trafficking area in southeastern Colombia has left at least nine National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and one marine dead, the country's Navy reported on Monday (30).
The clashes occurred last weekend in a jungle area near the Pacific port city of Buenaventura, just two weeks before peace talks between the government and the ELN were set to continue in Mexico.
Colombia has endured nearly six decades of internal armed conflict, which has left at least 450.000 dead and millions displaced.
The government concluded a preliminary round of negotiations with the ELN in Venezuela last year and held an emergency meeting this month to overcome a communication problem related to a possible ceasefire.
President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first leftist leader, has vowed to seek peace agreements or surrender deals with all illegal armed groups in the country.
Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Written by Oliver Griffin; Edited by Josie Kao
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