Latino Celebrities Take a Stand on the War in Ukraine

Actor Javier Bardem and singer Shakira are among the global Latino artists taking a stand in the war of Russia against Ukraine.

Oscar-winner Bardem recently joined a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Madrid soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the invasion of Ukraine.

“I am here to demonstrate my condemnation of the Russian Federation’s warlike actions against Ukraine,” he told the news agency Reuters at the demonstration where about a hundred people, many bearing Ukraine’s blue and yellow flag, had gathered. A video showed the 52-year-old actor wearing a black mask and hoodie and chatting with people at the rally. 

“It is an invasion… It violates Ukraine’s fundamental right to territorial sovereignty, international law, and many other things,” told Bardem to a reporter, adding he was concerned about a possible refugee wave of Ukrainian fleeing war and looking for safety abroad. A week later, the actor’s worries proved prescient. Media reports say that more than 840,000 Ukrainians, including many women and children, have crossed into Poland and other neighboring countries. An order from the Ukrainian government prohibits men 18 to 60 years of age from leaving the country in order to help fight the Russian invasion.

Bardem is among Spain’s most famous artists. He has been nominated four times for the Oscars, winning for best supporting actor in 2008 for his role in No Country for Old Men. This year he competes in the best actor category for his portrayal of  Cuban bandleader Desi Arnaz in the biopic Being the Ricardos. 

The Spanish star has also advocated for other causes like climate justice and the protection of Palestinian civilians in the Israeli-Occupied Territories during armed conflicts.

Shakira is another artist expressing concerns about Russia’s war against Ukraine, especially its impact on the most vulnerable. A few days ago, she retweeted a UNICEF post saying, “The children of Ukraine need peace, NOW.” The Grammy winner has also supported other causes, like children’s education through her own nonprofit, Fundación Pies Descalzos. On Feb. 15, she celebrated International Childhood Cancer Day by posting a video of children completing their chemotherapy. 

Chef Jose Andres, who has ventured into filmmaking as an executive producer of several documentaries, tweeted a video informing that his nonprofit World Central Kitchen was ready to serve food to Ukrainians leaving their homeland, which is under attack by the Russian military. Tweeting from Poland, he asked for donations to help feed the new refugees. He said, “People of the World…Like you, I am distraught watching Ukraine under attack. We must come together as a force for good! @WCKitchen is on Poland border delivering meals tonight—Romania soon. In addition to your donations…I am committing support from the Bezos award to Ukraine.”

Last year, Andrés received a $100 million grant from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos for the Spanish chef’s humanitarian work.

The world-famous chef has executive produced TV specials and series docs, including What’s Eating America, Who’s Feeding America?, Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy, Undiscovered Haiti with José Andrés and Made in Spain.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. More than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have so far been killed during Russia’s ongoing invasion, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. A U.N. agency anticipates the number of Ukrainian refugees could soon surpass 1 million.