Updated: Nov 18, 2020

The 2016 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, for his efforts in negotiating a peaceful solution to the end of the conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Confrontations between the Colombian State and the FARC officially lasted 52 years and cost the lives of at least 220,000 people, and caused more than 6 million people to be displaced. The Nobel Prize therefore aims to congratulate and encourage President Santos for the effort dedicated to the Peace Agreement signed with the guerrillas.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee declared that the distinction aims to honor the Colombian people, who despite the great difficulties and abuses they went through, never lost hope and always fought for peace. It was also intended to pay homage to the political parties and the various actors who helped in the peace process, as well as the victims who resulted from the conflict.

In this distinction made to President Juan Manuel Santos, the Committee also intends to “encourage all those who fight to achieve peace, reconciliation and justice in Colombia” and give the President even more strength to fight for this cause until the end of his term. .

“It is the Committee’s hope that in the coming years the Colombian people will reap the fruits of the reconciliation and peace process that is still ongoing”, the Committee also added, highlighting the importance of the Peace Agreement and the continuation of efforts to reach an Agreement that is accepted by the majority of the Colombian people.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee selected the President from a total of 376 candidates, a record number of applications.

The name of Juan Manuel Santos will remain, forever, in the company of other historic builders of peace in the region, such as Carlos Saavedra Lamas, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Oscar Arias or Rigoberta Menchú Tum.