Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2016 has been awarded to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his “decisive efforts to end the 50-year civil conflict in the country which has taken the lives of over 220,000 people and driven another 6 million from their homes,” read the decision of the Nobel Committee.

The Committee specified that the prize is also a sign of respect for Colombian citizens who, despite the violence, have not given up on their hopes for peace, as well as for all participants who have contributed to the peace process. “Last but not least, the prize is for the relatives of the countless victims of the conflict,” read the official statement.

The decision of the Nobel Committee is rather surprising given the fact that, on Sunday, the citizens of Colombia rejected at a referendum the peace agreement reached earlier between the authorities and FARC rebels due to apprehensions that it grants amnesty to people who have committed several crimes including murder.

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