The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro was approved as a candidate for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination came about through the action of Norwegian deputy Rasmus Hansson, known in several European countries for his role as an activist on environmental issues.
A member of the Green Party of Norway, the parliamentarian justified his initiative to present Petro’s candidacy by stating that the progressive South American leader is “an inspiration to the world”.
“Petro promotes a creative, modern and comprehensive peace policy. His government shows, in practice, that dialogue with armed groups can be an effective means of resolving conflicts and reducing violence”, added Hansson.
The declaration refers to the two peace negotiations promoted by the current Colombian government, with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and with the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EMC).
The Norwegian deputy also highlighted, as arguments for the Colombian’s nomination, the public policies promoted by his government, which, according to him, “are a factor in the inclusion of indigenous peoples, women, children and young people”.
Reply from Petro
Through his social networks, the president of Colombia thanked Hansson for his initiative. In a brief publication, the president added that “we will continue to do everything to achieve peace in Colombia”.
In addition to Gustavo Petro, there are three other official candidates in the running for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize: the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Jens Stoltenberg, and the Israeli organization B’Tselem – contrary to the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he has already accused of subjecting the Palestinian territories to an apartheid regime – and (Israeli) and Palestinian al-Haq.
If he wins, Petro would be the second Colombian president to receive the award this century. In 2016, then-president Juan Manuel Santos was chosen after his work in finalizing the Peace Agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The winner of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize should only be announced in October.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
