Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos was born on August 10, 1951, in Bogotá, Colombia, into an influential political family. His family was the owner of the Colombian newspaper 'El Tiempo'. From a young age, he was exposed to the world of politics and journalism, which would later shape his career. Santos pursued economics and public administration studies in the United States and the United Kingdom, preparing himself for a future in Colombian politics.

In 1981, Juan Manuel Santos became the editor of 'El Tiempo,' Colombia's leading newspaper, which was owned by his family. During his tenure, he worked to modernize its structure and adapt to changing media landscapes. His leadership at 'El Tiempo' helped it remain an influential voice in Colombian society. This role provided him deep insights into both national and international issues and polished his skills as a communicator, vital for his future political career.

Juan Manuel Santos was appointed as Colombia's Minister of Defense on July 19, 2006, under President Álvaro Uribe. During his tenure, Santos oversaw significant military operations against illegal armed groups, notably the FARC. Under his leadership, Colombia's military strengthened its operations leading to the significant weakening of the FARC. His approach was characterized by modernizing equipment and fostering international cooperation. This role set the stage for his later peace efforts as president.

Juan Manuel Santos was elected President of Colombia on June 20, 2010, after winning the presidential election. He succeeded Álvaro Uribe, under whom he had served as Minister of Defense. Santos ran as the candidate of the Social Party of National Unity (Party of the U). He won in a runoff election against Antanas Mockus with over 69% of the votes. His presidency focused on economic growth, security, and peace talks with armed groups.

On September 4, 2012, President Juan Manuel Santos officially announced the start of peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country's largest guerrilla group. The negotiations aimed to end decades of armed conflict that had affected Colombia. These talks were historic, marking a significant move towards peace. They were held in Havana, Cuba, with the involvement of international mediators. These negotiations would become the centerpiece of Santos' presidency.

Juan Manuel Santos was re-elected as President of Colombia on June 15, 2014. In the second round of the election, he narrowly defeated Óscar Iván Zuluaga, focusing on continuing the peace talks with FARC as a central theme of his campaign. His re-election was seen as a mandate from the Colombian people to pursue peace. The victory was a pivotal moment, as it allowed Santos to continue working towards achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.

On October 7, 2016, Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his resolute efforts to end Colombia's 52-year-long civil war with FARC. The award honored Santos for his 'resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end'. Despite the initial rejection of the peace deal by Colombian voters, the Nobel Committee awarded him for his part in the ongoing peace process. This award heightened his international profile and was a personal triumph.

On November 24, 2016, President Juan Manuel Santos signed a revised peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla group in Bogotá. This followed a previous agreement that was narrowly rejected in a national referendum. The revised accord was put through Congress and ratified. The signing marked a historic milestone in Colombia, effectively ending over 50 years of conflict. Santos was widely praised for his commitment to achieving peace, although challenges in implementation remained.

On January 20, 2017, Colombia began the process of officially disarming the FARC guerrillas, following the peace agreement signed by President Juan Manuel Santos. This process was a complex and crucial phase of the peace accords, as it required detailed monitoring to ensure compliance. The FARC's weapons were gathered and melted down to create monuments symbolizing peace. Santos marked this as the 'end of the FARC', a significant achievement of his presidency.

Juan Manuel Santos concluded his presidency on August 7, 2018, after serving two terms. His time in office was marked by significant achievements, including economic growth and the landmark peace agreement with FARC. Although his peace efforts drew both praise and criticism, his legacy as a peacemaker was notable. Santos handed over power to his successor, Iván Duque, and retired from public office, focusing on international peace and educational initiatives.