Mana honored as Latin Grammys' Person of the Year

Mexican rock band Mana became the first group ever to be honored as the Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year Wednesday, when its four members were recognized during a star-studded tribute concert for their creative accomplishments and philanthropic efforts.

Lead vocalist Fher Olvera, drummer Alex González, guitarist Sergio Vallín and bass player Juan Calleros received a crystal trophy before artists, industry leaders and others in an event the day before the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

"Mana is a band that has given its all always — heart and soul," Olvera said on stage before recalling the band's humble beginnings and the years in which they all slept in a van. "We were working a lot, a lot, a lot until we reached what we have been sowing... . We never thought, for example, that we were going to play in Israel or that we were going to be playing two years ago in the White House."

Fher Olvera, from left, Alex Gonzalez, Juan Calleros and Sergio Vallin, of Mana, appear on stage after performing at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

More than a dozen Latin artists honored the band with renditions of its greatest hits. Gilberto Santa Rosa sang a salsa version of "Bendita tu Luz," Pablo Alborán performed a pop rendition of "Rayando el Sol," and Pepe Aguilar accompanied by the Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández interpreted "Mariposa Traicionera."

The academy bestowed the honor on the band for its achievements and contributions to the Latin community and support of environmental protection and human rights causes.

Mana has highlighted environmental, social, political and human rights issues for more than 30 years through its songs, concerts and, more recently, social media. It has also promoted the Latino vote in the U.S. and has denounced what it deems as social injustices in countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia.

Fher Olvera, of Mana, performs at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Olvera on Monday visited a temporary shelter in the Mexican state of Jalisco where members of a caravan of Central Americans attempting to reach the U.S. border were resting. He offered them words of encouragement and sang "Rayando el Sol" y "El Muelle de San Blas."

"I went to see them. We've been supporting the immigrants here in the United States for more than 20 years," Olvera said. "At the end of the day, we are brothers, we are human beings... We shouldn't be afraid of them... I told them be careful. I saw babies, I saw children. It was sad, but they have a lot of hope."

González added that the immigrants wouldn't be on this journey "if there wasn't so much corruption in the countries they're coming from."

Fher Olvera, of Mana, performs at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

"Nobody wants to leave their country," González said on the red carpet. "These people are running away from a lot of very drastic situations. It's a humanitarian crisis, but we have to help these people one way or another. Yes, it's illegal to enter a country, but as Fher says, brothers and sisters, humanitarian crisis, we have to help them."

The band established the nonprofit Fundación Ecológica Selva Negra in 1996. It works to preserve endangered species, offers educational programs on the environment and organizes community development projects.

Mana has won six Latin Grammys and four Grammys and has released more than 48 No. 1 hits worldwide. The group has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Fher Olvera, of Mana, performs at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

The band wrapped up the night with "Labios Compartidos" and "Clavado en un Bar."

"People like you are the ones who make it possible for this industry to keep moving," Aguilar told the band. "Thank you for your professionalism."

Previous recipients of the honor include Shakira, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Miguel Bose and Plácido Domingo.

Gabriel Abaroa, president and CEO of the Latin Recording Academy, right, looks on as Fher Olvera accepts the Person of the Year award on behalf of Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

The Latin Grammy Awards will be presented Thursday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will be broadcast live beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern on Univision.

Beatriz Luengo, left, and La Marisoul, of La Santa Cecilia, perform "Corazon Espinado" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Pablo Alboran performs "Rayando el Sol" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Pablo Alboran performs "Rayando el Sol" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Guillermo Galvan, left, and Pucho, of Vetusta Morla, perform "Cuando Los Angeles Lloran" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Pepe Aguilar performs "Mariposa Traicionera" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Vetusta Morla performs "Cuando Los Angeles Lloran" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Enrique Bunbury performs "Vivir Sin Aire" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

Enrique Bunbury performs "Vivir Sin Aire" at the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year gala honoring Mana at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvisionAP)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia has moved some troops onto an airbase in Niger where a small number of U.S. forces remain, but Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he doesn't see it as a significant issue. Most American troops left that base in the nation's capital, Niamey, a U.S. official said.

The arrival of Russian trainers in the West African country about three weeks ago came in the wake of Niger’s decision to order out all U.S. troops. The order dealt a blow to U.S. military operations in the Sahel, a vast region south of the Sahara desert where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group operate.

The Pentagon has said the U.S. troops will depart but has not provided a timeline.

When Russian troops arrived last month, it was unclear where they were staying. The Niamey base, Austin said late Thursday, is located at the capital city's Diori Hamani International Airport, and “the Russians are in a separate compound and don’t have access to U.S. forces or access to our equipment.”

He said the U.S. will continue to watch the situation but he doesn't see it as a significant force protection issue.

A U.S. official said the Russian forces are on the other side of the Niamey facility, known as Airbase 101, and that other international forces — such as the Germans and Italians — also reside. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements. It's unclear how many U.S. troops remain at the Niamey base.

The Russian presence on the base comes as tensions remain high between Washington and Moscow over the ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine's military.

About 1,000 U.S. troops are still in Niger, but the bulk of them moved to what's called Airbase 201 near Agadez, some 920 kilometers (550 miles) away from the capital, not long after mutinous soldiers ousted the country’s democratically elected president last July.

A few months later, the ruling junta asked French forces to leave and turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security assistance.

In October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup, which triggered U.S. laws restricting the military support and aid that it can provide to Niger. Since then, diplomatic efforts to restore ties with Niger have been unsuccessful.

Until recently, Washington considered Niger a key partner and ally in a region swept by coups in recent years, investing millions of dollars in the Agadez base, which has been critical to U.S. counterterrorism operations in the Sahel. The U.S. also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Niger’s military since it began operations there in 2013.

The Pentagon also has said the U.S. will relocate most of the approximately 100 forces it has deployed in neighboring Chad for now. Chad is also considering whether to continue its security agreement with the U.S.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, told reporters that the departure from Chad "is a temporary step as part of the ongoing review of our security cooperation, which will resume after Chad’s May 6th presidential election.”

FILE - Supporters of Niger's ruling junta gather for a protest called to fight for the country's freedom and push back against foreign interference, in Niamey, Niger, Aug. 3, 2023. Russia has moved some troops onto an airbase in Niger where a small number of U.S. forces remain after most American troops left the base in Niamey, the nation's capital, a U.S. official said Thursday, May 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File)