The Head of State was honored for his effort pursuing freedom and his achievements in the fight against terrorism. The award also recognizes the work and progress of the Colombian Government and its authorities, through the Democratic Security Policy.

Madrid, Spain, April 29 (SP).President Uribe dedicated the ‘Cortés de Cadiz’ Freedom Award to the soldiers and policemen injured in combat, at a ceremony celebrated in the city of Madrid.

The prize gave by the mayoralty of Cadiz is for 18 thousand Euros, which will be donated by the leader to a non profit organization that helps soldiers and policemen hurt by anti personnel mines.

At the moment he was receiving the award, the President made a heartfelt tribute to the members of the Public Forces who have been injured, in their duty, as a result of terrorism.

“For those mutilated soldiers and policemen, in which us Colombians see nothing but heroism, in which us Colombians see hope for next generations, I offer this award with all the generosity that the community of Cadiz is having with us”, President Uribe said.

He reminded that in the battalions and blocks of the military and police hospitals   are more than 1.700 soldiers with mutilations caused by anti personnel mines, as consequence of “their fight to give present and future generations of Colombia, the right to live in peace and freedom”.

The Colombian leader also thanked Teófila Martínez, Mayor of Cadiz, the authorities and jury for the award, at the time he was saying that this was also recognition for those who have been murdered in the last 60 years of violence.

“The only argument that I found to understand all this generosity from Cadiz, its authorities and its Mayor is the sacrifice of many Colombians murdered along 60 years of violence caused by drug trafficking, guerrilla’s terrorism, and paramilitary terrorism.”

“So many members of the justice murdered, 50 percent of the families with some kind of pain, with a reason for mourning, thousands of soldiers and policemen mutilated with anti personnel mines” expressed the Head of State. 

The President of Colombia was honored for his effort protecting freedom and his open opposition against terrorism. This award recognizes the work and progress of the Colombian Government and its authorities, through the Democratic Security Policy.