The U.S. government has expressed its support for Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' plan to set up time limits for the peace negotiations with the rebel group known as FARC.

Colombia and FARC have been in peace talks since 2012 but their relations have become strained in the last week.

In an interview with the EFE news agency, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson said the U.S. would support President Santos' call for time limits, reports the Latin American Herald Times.

"If the president believes that that is the best way to move the process forward, we're supporting his efforts," said Jacobson.

"We're supporting President Santos and his efforts for peace and we believe, like him, that it's very important for everyone in that process, the government and the FARC, to have a feeling of urgency. And especially now, at this moment of tension, after an attack that was very serious ... it's urgent to move forward in the peace process," she added.

FARC and Colombia began peace talks in November 2012 after decades of fighting, which led to the deaths and displacement of thousands throughout the country. Although the talks have seen some progress, last week FARC broke its own ceasefire and killed 11 Colombian troops.

President Santos, following the incident, called for FARC to agree to a deadline for the talks, according to Reuters.

"Do not be deaf to Colombians who are shouting for an end to the war, who are losing patience," Santos said on April 17. "We must put deadlines on this process and if (the FARC) want peace they must demonstrate with deeds and not with words."

Reuters reported President Santos also responded to critics who sought to end the peace talks, following FARC's aggression.

"We will not allow ourselves to be pressured by those who want, at all costs, to back us against a wall and force us to end the negotiations," Santos said on April 21 during a meeting of the national peace commission.

"It's easy to keep talking about war while sitting at a desk or from the trenches of social media," he added. His comments referred to former President Alvaro Uribe who has used his Twitter account to criticize the peace negotiations.

The U.S. government, nonetheless, continues to back Colombia during the peace negotiations. Speaking at the 45th Annual Washington Conference of the Council of the Americas, Secretary of State John Kerry said the U.S. will support Colombia through the negotiations.

"Here in the United States, we will do all that we can to help Colombia achieve that peace, he said, explaining peace "will unleash enormous potential for the Colombian people."