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EspañolColombia President Juan Manuel Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize this week for his efforts to bring an end to the 50-year civil war between the government and the guerilla group FARC.
Santos won the award even after the referendum to approve the peace deal settled with FARC in Havana was voted down by the Colombian people.
The prize committee in Oslo said the award is a tribute to those who still believe that peace is possible despite the large setbacks and difficulties faced by the country. It additionally recognized other major participants in the FARC peace talks. The prize was also a tribute to the victims of the fighting.
BREAKING NEWS The 2016 #NobelPrize #Peace is awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos pic.twitter.com/7OhiCruc1o
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 7, 2016
Santos wins against all odds
Following the victory of “no” in the referendum, the Director of Investigations for the Nobel Peace Prize Committee Noruega Kristian Berg Harpbiken said that Santos would no longer be nominated. However, the president came out the winner nonetheless.
The organization said Santos was still able to win because he had guaranteed that the country’s citizens were able to express their individual views about the controversial agreement.
The committee urged FARC to maintain its bilateral ceasefire that currently exists in Colombia and which was extended by Santos until October 31.
Currently, politicians in favor of the peace deal are looking for ways to have a re-vote so that the agreement can still go through.
Reactions
Supporters and critic took to social media alike in response to Santos’ win.
Felicito el Nobel para el Presidente Santos, deseo que conduzca a cambiar acuerdos dañinos para la democracia
— Álvaro Uribe Vélez (@AlvaroUribeVel) October 7, 2016
Felicito a @JuanManSantos por Nobel de Paz. Otra razón para avanzar en acuerdo de unidad nacional
— Andrés Pastrana A (@AndresPastrana_) October 7, 2016
Sin comentarioshttps://t.co/gKZBrQFost
— Jose Obdulio Gaviria (@JOSEOBDULIO) October 7, 2016
Felicito al presidente Juan Manuel Santos, a garantes Cuba y Noruega, acompañantes Venezuela y Chile sin los cuales seria imposible la Paz
— Rodrigo Londoño (@TimoComunes) October 7, 2016
El Nobel indica que no se debe premiar a los terroristas FARC y que se debe corregir el rumbo para alcanzar la verdadera paz
— Alejandro Ordóñez (@A_OrdonezM) October 7, 2016
Felicitaciones al Presidente @JuanManSantos y al pueblo de Colombia. Un nuevo incentivo xa llegar a la paz duradera e incluyente #NobelPrize https://t.co/2dj3nJvczW
— Luis Almagro (@Almagro_OEA2015) October 7, 2016
Presiente @JuanManSantos felicidades por su convicción, valentía y lucha incansable por llevar la paz a su país. #Colombia #NobelPrize
— Rigoberta Menchú Tum (@RigobertMenchu) October 7, 2016
Source: El Tiempo
