Emilio Palacio Awarded in Cadiz by El Mundo Newspaper

Emilio Palacios

The Ecuadorian journalist Emilio Palacio was awarded in Cadiz with the International Prize World Columnist, given by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

“It is a very important recognition because Palacio symbolizes all Latin American journalists who are suffering a major repression. Recognizing Palacio  sends a message of support and encouragement to those whose freedom of speech is weakened everyday” said the committee. “There are countries like Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina itself that wants to live without free and independent press.”

The winners, in each category, will receive 20,000 euros and a sculpture by Martin Chirino; prizes are sponsored by Iberdrola and count with the collaboration of the Cityhall of Cadiz.

In 2011, Palacio, former columnist of El Universo Newspaper, was forced to seek political asylum in the United States, after the Ecuadorian Government judged him for libel due to the publication of his article “No a las mentiras”, which called President Rafael Correa a “dictator”

(BG)