Juan Manuel Santos

Juan Manuel Santos
Santos in 2010
Juan Manuel Santos
Born	Juan Manuel Santos Calderón 10 8, 1951
Birthplace	Bogotá, Colombia
Nationality	Colombian
Occupation	Politician, economist, journalist
Known for	President of Colombia (2010–2018), Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2016), negotiating the peace agreement with FARC
Education	Harvard University (MPA)
Spouse(s)	Template:Marriage
Children	3
Awards	Nobel Peace Prize (2016)

Juan Manuel Santos Calderón (born 10 August 1951) is a Colombian politician, economist, and former journalist who served as the 33rd President of Colombia from 7 August 2010 to 7 August 2018. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for his efforts to negotiate an end to the armed conflict between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement, a war that had lasted more than half a century and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. A member of the prominent Santos family — long-time majority shareholders of El Tiempo, Colombia's newspaper of record — Santos built a career that spanned journalism, economic policy, and national security before ascending to the presidency. His political trajectory took him through several cabinet posts, including Colombia's first Minister of Foreign Trade under President César Gaviria, Minister of Finance under President Andrés Pastrana Arango, and Minister of National Defence under President Álvaro Uribe. In 2005, he co-founded the Social Party of National Unity (Party of the U), a liberal-conservative coalition that became one of the largest political parties in the country. His presidency was defined by the pursuit of a negotiated peace with FARC, a process that culminated in a landmark agreement despite deep polarization within Colombian society and a narrow defeat for the deal in a national referendum.

Early Life

Juan Manuel Santos Calderón was born on 10 August 1951 in Bogotá, Colombia, into one of the country's most influential families. The Santos family had been majority shareholders of El Tiempo, Colombia's leading newspaper, from 1913 to 2007, giving the family considerable influence in Colombian public life and media. His great-uncle, Eduardo Santos, served as President of Colombia from 1938 to 1942, establishing a tradition of political engagement within the family.

Santos' early years were shaped by the privileged and politically connected milieu of the Colombian elite. Growing up in Bogotá, he was exposed from a young age to political discourse and the workings of national media through his family's ownership of El Tiempo. This background would later inform both his career in journalism and his entry into politics.

As a young man, Santos served in the Colombian Navy. He entered the Colombian Naval Academy (Escuela Naval de Cadetes Almirante Padilla) and served between 1967 and 1971, an experience that provided him with an understanding of the military and security institutions that would prove significant during his later tenure as Minister of National Defence.

After completing his military service, Santos pursued higher education abroad, embarking on a period of academic training that would take him to three of the world's leading universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Education

Santos received his undergraduate education at the University of Kansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and business administration. He subsequently moved to the United Kingdom, where he obtained a Master of Science degree in economic development from the London School of Economics (LSE). He then attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Santos was also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University in the class of 1988, a fellowship awarded to mid-career journalists for a year of study at Harvard. Additionally, he studied at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. This extensive academic background in economics, public administration, and international affairs provided Santos with the intellectual foundation for his subsequent career in government and policy-making.

Career

Journalism

Before entering politics, Santos pursued a career in journalism, a natural path given his family's ownership of El Tiempo. The Santos family maintained majority control of the newspaper from 1913 to 2007, and the publication served as Colombia's newspaper of record throughout much of the 20th century. Santos worked as a journalist and editor, gaining experience in media and public communications that would later serve him in politics. His selection as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard in 1988 reflected his standing as a mid-career journalist of distinction at the time.

Minister of Foreign Trade (1991–1994)

Santos' entry into government came in 1991, when President César Gaviria Trujillo appointed him as Colombia's first Minister of Foreign Trade, a position created as part of the economic liberalization reforms that Gaviria was pursuing. Santos served in this capacity from 18 November 1991 to 7 August 1994, overseeing the development of Colombia's foreign trade policies during a period of significant economic opening.

During the Gaviria administration, Santos also served as Presidential Designate of Colombia from 11 August 1993 to 7 August 1994, succeeding Humberto De la Calle in the role. Santos was the last person to hold this position, as it was subsequently abolished under the 1991 Constitution's transition provisions and replaced by the office of the Vice President.

Fundación Buen Gobierno and Peace Advocacy

Following his tenure in the Gaviria administration, Santos engaged in civil society work. He was involved with the Fundación Buen Gobierno (Good Government Foundation), an organization that advocated for improved governance in Colombia. The foundation also engaged with questions of peace, reflecting Santos' early interest in resolving Colombia's internal armed conflict through negotiated means.

Minister of Finance (2000–2002)

In 2000, President Andrés Pastrana Arango appointed Santos as the 64th Minister of Finance and Public Credit, a position he held from 7 August 2000 to 7 August 2002. In this role, Santos was responsible for managing Colombia's fiscal policy during a challenging economic period. His tenure at the Finance Ministry further established his credentials as an economic policy-maker and broadened his experience across different domains of government.

Founding the Party of the U (2005)

In 2005, Santos co-founded the Social Party of National Unity, commonly known as the Party of the U (Partido de la U), a political party that brought together elements from both liberal and conservative political traditions in Colombia. The party was created as a coalition to support the policies of President Álvaro Uribe, who had been elected in 2002. Santos led the party and played a key role in supporting Uribe's effort to secure a constitutional reform that would allow him to run for a second presidential term. The campaign was successful, and after Uribe's re-election, the Party of the U won a majority of seats in both chambers of the Colombian Congress in the 2006 legislative elections.

Santos' departure from the Colombian Liberal Party, with which his family had long been associated, to found the Party of the U marked a significant political realignment and demonstrated his pragmatic approach to coalition-building in Colombian politics.

Minister of National Defence (2006–2009)

Following Uribe's re-election in 2006, Santos was appointed Minister of National Defence, a position he held from 18 July 2006 to 18 May 2009. In this role, Santos continued and intensified the security policies of President Uribe, taking a forceful stance against FARC and other guerrilla groups operating in Colombia. Under his leadership, the Colombian military conducted several high-profile operations against insurgent groups, raising Santos' national and international profile.

However, Santos' tenure as Defence Minister was significantly tarnished by the "false positives" scandal (falsos positivos), in which members of the Colombian army executed thousands of civilians and then presented them as guerrilla fighters killed in combat in order to inflate body counts and demonstrate progress against the insurgency. The scandal became one of the most serious human rights crises in Colombia's recent history and continues to cast a shadow over the security policies of the Uribe era.

Presidency (2010–2018)

2010 Election

In 2010, Santos ran for president as the political protégé of Álvaro Uribe, whose two terms in office had been marked by a security-focused approach to Colombia's armed conflict. Santos won the presidential election and took office on 7 August 2010. His vice presidents during his two terms were Angelino Garzón, Germán Vargas Lleras, and Óscar Naranjo.

Break with Uribe

Within months of taking office, Santos began to diverge from the political course set by his predecessor. His decision to pursue negotiations with FARC and his broader policy approach led to a dramatic rupture with Uribe, who had been his principal political ally and patron. Uribe became Santos' strongest opponent, and in 2013 founded the Democratic Centre party as an opposition vehicle. This political rivalry between Santos and Uribe became one of the defining features of Colombian politics during the 2010s, splitting the country's right-of-center political establishment and generating intense polarization.

2014 Re-election

The rivalry with Uribe nearly cost Santos his presidency. In the 2014 Colombian presidential election, Santos faced Óscar Iván Zuluaga, Uribe's protégé and the Democratic Centre candidate. The election was closely contested, with the peace negotiations with FARC serving as the central issue. Santos narrowly won re-election, securing a second term that allowed him to continue the peace process.

Peace Negotiations with FARC

The defining initiative of Santos' presidency was the negotiation of a peace agreement with FARC, aimed at ending an armed conflict that had lasted more than fifty years. The negotiations, which were conducted in Havana, Cuba, represented one of the most ambitious peace processes in Latin American history.

On 2 October 2016, the Colombian government held a national referendum on the peace deal that had been negotiated with FARC. In a result that surprised many observers, the "No" campaign — led by Uribe's Democratic Centre party — won narrowly, rejecting the agreement.

Despite the referendum defeat, Santos continued to pursue the peace agreement. The Colombian government and FARC signed a revised peace deal on 24 November 2016, incorporating modifications to address some of the concerns raised by opponents. Rather than conducting a second referendum, the revised agreement was sent to Congress for ratification. Both houses of the Colombian Congress ratified the revised peace accord on 29–30 November 2016, formally ending the conflict.

The peace process brought deep divisions and polarization to Colombian society, with critics questioning the legitimacy of an agreement that had been rejected in a public vote and then ratified through Congress instead. Supporters of the process argued that ending the conflict was a moral and political imperative that justified the approach taken.

Domestic Policy

Beyond the peace process, Santos' presidency saw efforts to improve Colombia's social and economic indicators. According to the One Young World organization, Santos "managed to significantly improve his country's social and economic indicators" during his time in office.

International Role

Santos also played a role in regional diplomacy, serving as President pro tempore of the Pacific Alliance on two occasions: from 23 May 2013 to 20 June 2014, and from 30 June 2017 to 24 July 2018.

End of Presidency

Santos left office on 7 August 2018 with one of the lowest levels of popular approval recorded for a departing Colombian president. His successor was Iván Duque, who had been Uribe's new protégé and ran as a moderate critic of Santos' peace treaty with the FARC guerrillas. The transition underscored the political cost that the peace process had exacted on Santos and his party, even as it earned him international recognition.

Post-Presidency

Following his departure from office, Santos has remained active in international affairs, particularly on issues of peace, conflict resolution, climate change, and drug policy. He has spoken and written extensively on global issues, drawing on his experience with the Colombian peace process.

In an interview with El País in February 2026, Santos was described as being "received like a rock star wherever he goes," reflecting the international standing he has maintained since leaving office. In the interview, Santos stated that "the world is on the wrong track," expressing concern about global trends.

In a January 2026 interview with the Financial Times, Santos discussed Venezuelan politics and regional affairs, commenting on the differences between Nicolás Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chávez.

Santos has also engaged with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. In a July 2025 article for The Economist, he argued that Russia and Ukraine "must seek a proper framework for talks" and that other stakeholders "must stay engaged" in the search for a resolution.

On issues of climate and development, Santos published a commentary in Project Syndicate in October 2025 calling for "renewed efforts to advance the interconnected agendas of poverty reduction and climate action."

On drug policy, Santos has spoken about the relationship between Colombia and the United States, stating in October 2025 that "in the fight between the world's largest drug producer and its largest consumer, only organized crime wins," and calling on both countries' leaders to show "restraint."

Santos has also continued to participate in public speaking engagements, including the Ubben Lecture Series at DePauw University, where he discussed his efforts to end the conflict in Colombia.

Personal Life

Juan Manuel Santos married María Clemencia Rodríguez Múnera, who served as First Lady of Colombia during his presidency. He was previously married to Silvia Amaya Londoño, from whom he divorced. Santos has three children: Martín, María Antonia, and Esteban.

Santos is a member of the Santos family, one of the most prominent families in Colombian political and media history. The family's ownership of El Tiempo from 1913 to 2007 made them among the most influential voices in Colombian public life for nearly a century. His great-uncle Eduardo Santos served as President of Colombia from 1938 to 1942.

Santos holds several international honors, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry of Portugal (GColIH) and an honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) from the United Kingdom.

The Universidade Nova de Lisboa awarded Santos an honorary doctorate during his presidency.

Recognition

Santos' most significant honor was the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to him on 7 October 2016. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized Santos for his "resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end." The prize was awarded despite the narrow defeat of the peace deal in the Colombian referendum held just days earlier, on 2 October 2016. The Nobel Committee stated that the award was intended both to honor Santos' achievements and to encourage all parties to continue working toward peace.

The timing of the Nobel Prize was notable. The "No" campaign, led by Uribe's Democratic Centre party, had won the referendum on the peace deal, casting uncertainty over the future of the agreement. The Nobel Committee's decision to award the prize in that context was interpreted as a signal of international support for the peace process.

Santos has been named one of Time's 100 most influential people, recognizing his role in Colombian and international affairs.

The University of Kansas honored Santos for his contributions, reflecting the institution's recognition of its distinguished alumnus.

Santos has delivered lectures and addresses at numerous institutions worldwide, including DePauw University's Ubben Lecture Series, where he spoke about his peace-making efforts.

Legacy

Juan Manuel Santos' legacy is complex and contested, both within Colombia and internationally. His presidency is primarily defined by the peace agreement with FARC, which ended more than five decades of armed conflict and represented one of the most significant peace processes in the history of Latin America. The agreement's provisions for transitional justice, rural reform, political participation for former combatants, and drug crop substitution established a framework for addressing the root causes of the conflict.

However, the peace process generated deep polarization in Colombian society. The narrow defeat of the peace agreement in the October 2016 referendum exposed a divided nation, with a significant portion of the population rejecting the terms of the deal. Critics, led by Uribe and the Democratic Centre party, argued that the agreement was too lenient toward FARC leaders accused of serious crimes. The decision to ratify a revised agreement through Congress rather than holding a second referendum further fueled controversy about the democratic legitimacy of the process.

Santos' tenure as Minister of National Defence remains a source of controversy due to the "false positives" scandal, in which the army killed civilians and presented them as guerrillas killed in combat. While Santos was not personally implicated in ordering the killings, the scandal occurred during his time leading the Defence Ministry and raised questions about oversight and accountability.

Internationally, Santos has maintained a prominent profile as a voice for peace and multilateral engagement. His Nobel Peace Prize cemented his standing on the global stage, and he has continued to advocate for conflict resolution, climate action, and reforming drug policy. His interventions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other global challenges reflect his ongoing engagement with international affairs.

The contrast between Santos' international acclaim — symbolized by the Nobel Peace Prize — and his domestic unpopularity at the end of his presidency illustrates the tensions inherent in his political legacy. He left office with one of the lowest approval ratings ever recorded for a departing Colombian president, yet the peace agreement he negotiated remains a landmark achievement in the country's history, the full effects of which continue to unfold.