Colombian senator Piedad Córdoba should be nominated for a Nobel Peace
Prize, says one of the award’s former winners, Argentinian Adolfo Pérez
Esquivel.
In an interview with W Radio, Pérez explained his suggestion. “She has been working very hard for a lot of time with too many obstacles, to reach peace in Colombia. And that (the prize) would help to find the right path to peace in her country.
Córdoba has been highly involved with the peace process. The senator, who has as many opponents as supporters, is a close ally of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez and played a part in the liberation of several hostages – including Ingrid Betancourt – last year. Currently, she and the FARC are negotiating on the liberation of another six hostages.
Nevertheless, her popularity in Colombia is limited as many accuse the politician of cooperating with the wrong parties, Chávez in particular.
Córdoba is the second Colombian to have been linked with a Nobel Prize recently, the first being Ingrid Betancourt herself. Pérez says to disagree with Betancourt being mentioned for the prestigious award.
“We supported the liberation of Ingrid Betancourt, but I don’t see any other merits that allow her to be a winner of this prize,” he said.
Pérez won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for his efforts in the defense of human rights. The Argentinian was arrested in 1977, during the Videla regime, and tortured and held for 14 months without trial.