UN expresses concern over escalating conflict in Colombia

The United Nations Office in Colombia on Friday expressed concerns over the escalation of the armed conflict in the country.

"The escalation of violent actions is particularly disturbing at a time that the most needed acts for the peace process are peace acts that inspire public trust that a negotiated solution to the conflict is possible," a U.N. statement published at the official network said.

"We call on the parties to reflect on the consequences of this escalation and resist the logic of retaliation, and to continue focusing all their efforts to successfully conclude the negotiation process that represents the only hope to build a lasting peace that the Colombian people yearn," the statement added.

Peace negotiations to end Colombia's five-decade conflict were plunged into a fresh crisis Friday after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) suspended their unilateral ceasefire in response to a government air strike that killed 26 rebels on Thursday.

The December ceasefire announcement by the FARC had raised hopes the peace talks were approaching a breakthrough. But tensions have heightened since the FARC killed 11 soldiers in an ambush on April 14.

The day after the ambush, President Juan Manuel Santos ordered the military to resume air strikes against the FARC, which he had suspended on March 11 in recognition of their ceasefire.

Santos wrote in his official social network that his government will "continue to fight subversion throughout the country with the same conviction and determination it have undertaken peace talks."

"FARC gentlemen: it is time to accelerate negotiations. How many more deaths do we need to understand that now is the time for peace!" Santos added.

The U.N. stressed that the peace process has led to a concrete reduction in losses of lives and a positive humanitarian impact, adding that during the ceasefire the FARC attacks were reduced by 66 percent.