BOGOTA - A front of Colombian leftist rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN) has broken ranks with the group's central command, becoming the guerrillas' first dissident faction, as Colombia's government on Wednesday recognized it as an independent organization.

The Southern Community Front, which operates in Colombia's Narino province, announced its split with the wider ELN on Tuesday. It was confirmed almost immediately by Pablo Beltran, head of the rebel group's peace delegation.