2 Colombian soldiers dead in latest FARC clashes

Fighting between Colombian troops and leftist FARC guerrillas left two soldiers dead and three wounded, the latest casualties in an uptick in violence, officials said Friday.

The skirmish erupted in the western Cauca department when the FARC, who are holding captive a wounded military officer, detonated an explosive device.

Guerrilla attacks have spiked in the country with raids against oil infrastructure and troops leading to numerous deaths, as long-running peace talks have stalled.

But those talks may be recovering.

After an international appeal from countries backing the Havana negotiations, the rebels announced Wednesday they would observe a one-month unilateral ceasefire to begin July 20.

The government has also indicated that it may now be ready to implement a bilateral ceasefire, a sharp reversal in policy.

But in the meantime attacks and fighting continue and the FARC -- Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia -- confirmed they were holding Lieutenant Cristian Moscoso, who was injured while fighting in the Putumayo department in the south of the country.
"His injuries are not grave and he is being given the necessary medical assistance," a statement posted on the rebels' website said.

The military has been conducting an intensive search for Moscoso.

The FARC called for the government to halt the hunt to "avoid an outcome that threatens the life of the officer."

The internal conflict has gone on for half a century and claimed some 200,000 lives.

The FARC is the largest rebel force in Colombia with around 8,000 fighters.