Farc rebels have attacked a Colombian army unit in the east of the country and killed 11 soldiers, the army said in a statement.
The army said the ambush happened in the eastern province of Arauca, close to the border with Venezuela and 320kms north east of the capital Bogota.
Separately, Colombia’s largest rebel group said it was ready to start freeing 10 soldiers and police officers who have been held prisoner for up to 14 years.
But Farc also said it was waiting for Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos to allow a group of activists to visit jailed guerrillas.
A statement on Farc’s website said that the group planned to release the captives in two groups, and that now all that was left is for Mr Santos to allow the prison visits.
The rebel group has not specified a date for freeing hostages. Former Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba, who has served as a go-between, has said she expects the release will happen no later than the first week of April.
PA/Reuters/AP