Release Date 07 October 2016

"Given this week's 'No' vote in Colombia's referendum on the peace deal, giving President Juan Manuel Santos the Nobel Peace Prize is a bold decision.

"However, the referendum loss also made it clear exactly what political risks Santos had taken for peace. His reaction to defeat has likewise been a strong statement in favour of peace, even at the cost of compromising with those who had opposed him.

"By awarding Santos the Nobel Prize, the committee is not just giving him an honour - it is calling for the peace process to continue under his leadership, despite the negative referendum vote."