The Colombian government said it will announce Wednesday the start of peace negotiations with the ELN rebel group, broadening the push to end the country's half-century armed conflict.

The Colombian presidency said in a statement that it and the left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) would make a joint announcement in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. That would open a new front in peace negotiations as the government also closes in on a deal with the larger FARC guerrilla group.