Ingrid Betancourt

Ingrid Betancourt, a distinguished Colombian politician and anti-corruption activist, was elected to the Chamber of Representatives in 1994, where she became a vocal critic of the administration of President Ernesto Samper during the 8000 Process scandal and championed anti-corruption efforts. Her commitment to justice continued with the founding of the ‘Green Oxygen Party’ in 1997, leading to her overwhelming election to the Senate in 1998. Throughout this period, Betancourt distinguished herself as a leading voice for human rights in Colombia’s political landscape. In 2002, while campaigning for the Colombian presidency, Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) alongside her campaign manager, Clara Rojas, in San Vicente del Caguán.

Demonstrating a continued dedication to intellectual pursuits, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from Harris Manchester College, Oxford, in 2023, where she currently serves as a research fellow, contributing to academic discourse and research.