Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian environmentalist deputy, Rasmus Hansson. The politician, one of the three environmentalist representatives in the Norwegian Congress, has justified his nomination by citing the peace initiative of the Colombian president, who he considers an “inspiration” for the world.

The list of individuals eligible to nominate candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize is extensive and comprises members of national governments, officials leading international peace organizations, university professors specializing in history, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology, and religion, as well as previous recipients of the prize.

According to the terms and conditions of the prestigious award, the Peace Prize is to be awarded “to the person who has done the most or the best work for fraternity among nations, the abolition or reduction of existing armies and the holding and promotion of peace processes”.

“Inclusive” peace efforts

The Norwegian deputy has underscored the nomination of Gustavo Petro by highlighting the inclusive nature of the peace negotiations led by the Colombian head of state. These negotiations ensure the participation of diverse segments of Colombian society, including women, youth, indigenous people, and traditionally marginalized groups who have historically been on the periphery of decision-making processes.

“Petro promotes a creative, modern and comprehensive peace policy. He shows in practice that dialogue with armed groups can be an effective means of resolving conflicts and reducing violence,” Hansson said, a day after the deadline for nominating candidates.

In Colombia, former President Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018) has already received the award, in recognition of the peace achieved with the defunct FARC in 2016. Today, he is widely respected as a lecturer abroad, and his foundation collaborates with universities across the globe.

The current president and nominee for this award, Gustavo Petro, expressed his thanks for the nomination on his social networks. “I thank Ramus Hansson for nominating me for the Nobel Peace Prize. We will continue with everything we have for peace in Colombia,” said the Colombian head of state.

Long process until December

This year’s nominees include, among others, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and two human rights organizations working in the Middle East, Israel’s B’Tselem and Palestine’s al-Haq.

The Nobel Peace Prize nominees are often kept confidential, with the organization maintaining the secrecy of nominees until after the award. Information about nominees only becomes public if the nominee themselves chooses to disclose it.

Last year, the Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi was awarded this important prize for her defense of women’s rights in the country of the ayatollahs.

The prize is awarded every year on December 10, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of the founder of the Peace Prize, Alfred Nobel.