BOGOTA - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said Monday he believes the country is in "the final stage" of the decades-long armed conflict, but warned things could get more complicated before peace finally comes.

"In all wars, the last phase is more complicated, more difficult. And we're at that stage," Santos said, while urging security forces to beef up their operations.

The remarks were made at Defense Ministry, where the president reaffirmed his confidence in Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera and other military leaders in their abilities to restore peace.

Since Santos took office in August, government forces have made crucial progress in its efforts to suppress the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels, killing the group's military leader Victor Julio Suarez, alias "Mono Jojoy."

Authorities also brought down drug lord Pedro Oliveiro Guerrero, known as "the murderer of the murderers" or "Cuchillo."