New Colombian president offers talks to rebels

Juan Manuel Santos, Colombia’s 59th president, declared himself open to dialogue with rebels in the hope of ending his country’s nearly 50-year conflict.

But Mr Santos, a 58-year-old economist, said he would not talk peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, until it freed its hostages, halted “terrorist acts” and stopped recruiting child soldiers and planting landmines.

Left-wing Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, who broke diplomatic ties with Colombia two weeks ago, was not among the 14 Latin American and Caribbean leaders at Mr Santos’ inauguration ceremony at Bogota’s central plaza.

Also absent was Mr Chavez’s close ally President Evo Morales of Bolivia.