Havana, Cuba - Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro received on Sunday in the hands of Ivan Giroud, director general of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, an Coral of Honor Award by his outstanding film career

This prize is testimony to the recognition of the meeting in Havana and the affection of Cubans, who applauded him since he came to Yara cinema, home of the informal ceremony, minutes before the premiere of one of his most recent films, ¨Escobar: Paraiso Perdido.¨

With affection, love and respect I owe Cuba, it is an honor to receive this award, Benicio responded to the ovation devoted to him by thousands of people who gathered to see the actor who performed Che in the two films by Steven Soderbergh.

Oscar-winning for best supporting actor by Traffic (2000) and a recognition at Cannes for his performance as Ernesto Guevara, Del Toro has declared his love by the island, its history and people.

In ¨Escobar ... he embodies the controversial and famous Colombian cartel leader Pablo Escobar, a challenge he took as honestly and truthfully as he could, Del Toro told ACN.

Directed by Andrea Di Stefano, the film also counts with the leading performance of Josh Hutcherson ( The Hunger Games), who worked with Del Toro in ¨El Yuma, ¨one of the stories of 7 Days in Havana, conducted by the Puerto Rican.

This edition of the festival , based in Havana until December 14- will also screen another film involving Benicio, the Hollywood blockbuster The Guardians of the Galaxy, the first film by USA´s Marvel Studios to appear in the event program.