Today was the ceremony for the Prince of Asturias Awards named in recognition of Spain's Crown Prince Felipe. Despite the objections of fringe Spanish groups, Colombian politician and ex-hostage Ingrid Betancourt received one of those awards. She spoke out on arms trafficking, the drug trade and violence during her recognition speech:
"We ask that the drugs which are produced in Colombia and other regions not be allowed to be transported through our lands because the wealth it generates is feeding terrorism and increasing kidnappings"…The below video shows a portion of her impassioned speech where she pleads for international support for her comrades still held hostage:
"We ask that our people stop arms trafficking because those same arms are used against our populations, to take the lives and freedom of our loved ones," added Betancourt, who wore a rosary she made out of wood while in captivity in the Colombian jungle wrapped around her wrist…
"I will not feel totally free, or happy, as long as one of my companions remains jailed in the jungle," she said.
The awards also recognized the state-run National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela (Arts) and Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal (sports).
Sources- The Prince of Asturias Foundation, YouTube, AFP, The Latin Americanist,
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