Member of The EldersThe Elders
Following ministerial appointments in finance, trade and defence, President Santos assumed the Colombian Presidency in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014. In September 2012, he publicly announced that his government had entered formal negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). This broke with his predecessors’ approach of fighting the FARC guerrilla forces with the aim of defeating them militarily, rather than attempting dialogue. As a result of his resolve and dedication to achieve peace and reconciliation in Colombia, President Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. He made steps to ensure a just transition, and to lay the groundwork for eventual unity and reconciliation. He emphasised not only justice for victims, but importantly the desire for truth – inaugurating a historic Truth Commission to investigate the victimisation of civilians during the war.
President Santos is an outspoken advocate for the protection of biodiversity. During his presidency he significantly expanded protected areas in Colombia and strengthened the Ministry of the Environment. One of his biggest achievements in this area was the expansion of marine protected areas from 1.2 million hectares in 2010 to 12.8 million in 2018. He joined The Elders in January of 2019, and has already spoken out on the need for Latin American leadership on the climate crisis, met with South Sudanese refugees in Gambela in Ethiopia and has engaged in important intergenerational dialogue on fighting injustice and inequality.