Juan Manuel Santos, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?

  • By Elizabeth Sy
  • Bogotá
  • Last updated on

Colombian president among finalists for TIME’s 2026 Person of the Year?

According to a well-informed source, the Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the politician's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.

UPDATE 27/12/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Why not Santos for Person of the Year?

The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 74-year-old politician, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.

“What makes Santos so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the politician have already been named ‘Colombian Of The Year’ by some major Colombian newspapers and even ‘Bogotá Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Bogotá (Juan Manuel Santos' hometown).

Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year

A representative for the politician was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:

“#SantosPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn't have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 26 Dec 2025
“Congrats! Juan Manuel has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 26 Dec 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Juan Manuel Santos?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 26 Dec 2025

Could 2026 officially be the Year of Juan Manuel Santos?

Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2026 Person of the Year.

Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2026?

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