South America

Colombia's President Wins The Nobel Peace Prize, Despite A Failed Deal

President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the honor for his efforts to end Colombia's decadeslong civil war, even though the peace deal failed.

Colombia's President Wins The Nobel Peace Prize, Despite A Failed Deal
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Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the country's decadeslong civil war with a rebel group know as FARC.

"The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2016 to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos," said Nobel committee spokesperson Kaci Kullmann Five.

The decision comes just days after voters in the country narrowly rejected a peace deal Santos' administration spent years negotiating.

Because of that setback, many were shocked to learn he was eligible for the prize at all.

SEE MORE: Colombia's Peace Deal Is In Pieces. So What Happens Next?

But the committee reiterated in a press release that Colombians voted against what's stated in the deal, and not peace itself.

A committee spokesperson told reporters that Santos initiated the peace deal process and "went all in with a strong will to reach a result."

So far, it's estimated Colombia's civil war has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced 6 million more.

As of early Friday, Santos had yet to be notified of his big win.