Colombian Rebels Kill 5 Soldiers 2 Days After Start of Peace Talks

Marxist rebels have killed five Colombian soldiers just two days after the start of peace talks.

Colombian military commanders say the FARC guerillas rebels blew up a bomb late Friday in the Putumayo region, near the border with Ecuador. At least three other soldiers were wounded.

The Colombian government has rejected the rebels' offer of a bilateral ceasefire while the peace talks go on.

The talks opened in Norway Wednesday and are set to resume in Cuba next month.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia has killed tens of thousands of people during its nearly 50 year-long fight against the Colombian government. It is known for frequent kidnappings of politicians and foreigners and funds its operations largely with drug money.

The United States has sent billions of dollars in aid and equipment to help the Colombian government tackle FARC.