The Order of Boyacá () is the highest peacetime decoration of Colombia. The order is awarded for exceptional service to distinguished Colombian military officers and civilians as well as foreign citizens of friendly nations. Established in 1922, the Order of Boyacá traces its origin to a Cruz de Boyacá that was awarded to the generals who led their forces to victory in the Battle of Boyaca in 1819. Reestablished in 1919 as an award for military personnel the order has undergone revisions and expansions into its current form, with the biggest change happening in 1922 where civilians became eligible to be awarded the Order of Boyaca.
Grades The Order of Boyacá is awarded in eight different grades: Grand Collar (Gran Collar), awarded to heads of state and to the President of Colombia upon his election. Grand Cross Extraordinary (Gran Cruz Extraordinaria), awarded to former heads of state and Colombian Cardinals. Grand Cross (Gran Cruz), awarded to Cardinals, Ambassadors, Ministers of State, Marshals, Generals of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant Generals, Admirals, or individuals of an equal or similar rank. Grand Officer (Gran Oficial), awarded to Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, Archbishops, Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Admirals, Vice Admirals, or individuals of an equal or similar rank. Silver Cross (Cruz de Plata), awarded to individuals and organizations as recognition for tenure and length of service. Commander (Comendador), awarded to Ministers Residents, business owners and managers, Bishops, Colonels, Lieutenant colonels, Majors, Captains, Commanders, Lieutenant Commanders, or individuals of an equal or similar rank. Officer (Oficial), Chargé d'affaires ad interim, Counselors, First Secretaries, Consuls General, Captains, Lieutenants, or individuals of an equal or similar rank. Knight (Caballero), awarded to Second and Third Secretaries, Consuls and Vice-Consuls, Attachés to embassies and legations, Lieutenants and Second Lieutenants, Lieutenants (junior grade) and Ensigns, or individuals of an equal or similar rank. Ribbon bars of the Order of BoyacáGrand CollarGrand Cross ExtraordinaryGrand Cross Grand OfficerSilver CrossCommanderOfficerKnight
Notable recipients
CountryNameChargeGrand CollarGrand CrossGrand Cross ExtraordinaryYear José Mujica Former President 2024 Gabriel Boric President 2023 Luis Abinader President 2022 Moon Jae-in President 2021 Joe Biden Vice President 2016 Felipe VI King 2015 Letizia Queen 2015 Dilma Rousseff President 2015 Sebastián Piñera President 2010 Tony Blair Former Prime Minister 2011 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva President 2005 Elizabeth II Queen 1993<ref name="List of Orders of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II" Youssef Fassi Fihri Ambassador 1992 Mieczyslaw Biernacki Ambassador 1992 Urho Kekkonen President 1980 José López Portillo President 1979 Juan Carlos I King 1976 Sofia Queen 1976 Chiang Kai-shek President 1963 Tomáš Masaryk Former President 1937 Edvard Beneš President 1937 Maximiliano Hernández Martínez President 1936Alfredo Baquerizo MorenoPresident1931 Juan Vicente Gómez President 1925 Alfonso XIII King 1925 Victoria Eugenie Queen 1925
References
External links Decorations, Cancilleria Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. World Awards