The recent releases of six hostages kidnapped by Colombia's left-wing rebels suggest there may yet be peace talks between the government and the rebels, analysts say.
The six, two regional officials and four security staff members, were handed over in four separate operations within one week.
The move of the rebels, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), was thought to help pave the way for their negotiations with the government to end an over four-decade conflict.
Ariel Fernando Avila, coordinator of the non-governmental organization New Rainbow Corporation, said the hostage releases were a prerequisite to start the process of dialogue between the two sides.
The government has demanded the door to hold dialogues with the illegal armed group remain open, and the FARC is required to demonstrate its willingness for peace and end all attacks such as kidnapping, child recruitment and terrorism.
Meanwhile, the FARC said it is in favor of seeking political solutions to the conflicts, without specifying if it will meet the requirements of the government.
However, a possible "peace process" will confront several obstacles, such as the lack of trust between the two sides and the misuse of peace talks. During previous attempted negotiations, one side tried to obtain military or political benefits.
Avila said the greatest difficulty is ensuring that FARC members not be extradited according to international law. Jorge Restrepo, director of the Conflict Analysis Resource Center, told Xinhua that negotiations and the ultimate goal of peace would be realized only after the government grants amnesty to the FARC due to the particular circumstance.
"Colombian society believes the government can win the war in a military way. Colombians think negotiation is weak, and they are punishing the government for any evidence of it," Restrepo said.
At least four Colombian presidents have attempted to negotiate with the FARC since 1982 to seek a ceasefire and reintegrate the rebels into society, but their efforts have yielded few results.