The Republic of Cape Verde awards the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ its most important military decoration

After a seven-day cruise from Tenerife (Canary Islands), the Spanish Navy training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ called at Praia (Cape Verde) for the first time in her 87 years.

The ship welcomed on board the Spanish Ambassador and the Minister of Defense of Cape Verde who, in the course of an official ceremony, decorated the ship’s ensign with the Honor Star Medal of the Armed Forces. It is the highest military decoration of that country, awarded in recognition of the errands of our training ship as ambassador, and example of the values of peace, freedom, fraternity, as well as an excellent exchange instrument of the Spanish culture throughout the world.

The ship stayed in port from Monday 17th to Friday 21st welcoming hundreds of students from different local schools and members of the Spanish colony in the isle of Santiago. The First Lady accompanied the students from one of the most deprived suburbs of the city.

During her stay the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ carried out a series of activities with Cape Verde servicemen training them in meteorology, navigation, astronomy and fire-fighting techniques.

Midshipmen and crew members also participated in an intense program of protocol, social, cultural and sports activities, among them the delivery of medical material to the Military Hospital in Praia, accompanied by the Spanish Ambassador, and a concert in one of the most important and popular streets of the city by the ship’s music band.

The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ is currently sailing the Atlantic Ocean towards her next port of call: Cartagena de Indias.