Latin music sensation Juanes urges political leaders to step up the fight against AIDS

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Colombian singer Juanes warms up during a sound check before his concert in Washington, Thursday, July 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON – Colombian superstar Juanes says he agreed to headline a special concert as part of the International AIDS Conference to urge political leaders to step up the fight against the disease.

He believes HIV-positive people “are stigmatized, rejected by society,” and said Thursday that this is the moment to change the understanding of AIDS and how it should be treated and prevented. The Latin sensation’s comments came hours before he headlined the “Beat Goes On” concert at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Juanes encouraged leaders to continue supporting the cause so that one day a cure can be found.

The Henry K. Kaiser Family Foundation says around 34.2 million people worldwide and 1.2 million in the United States live with HIV or AIDS.

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