Oscars 2019 latest: Javier Bardem takes aim at Donald Trump's wall as he introduces category in Spanish

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Javier Bardem appeared to take aim at Donald Trump and the president’s US-Mexico border wall as he introduced the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars.

The actor spoke in Spanish as he took to the stage to present the award, saying: “there are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent."

Roma became the first film from Mexico to win an Oscar in the foreign film category as it scooped the award at the glamorous ceremony on Sunday.

It was the second win for the film’s director Alfonso Cuaron, who had already picked up the best cinematography award at the event in Hollywood.

Angela Bassett, left, and Javier Bardem introduce the award
Getty Images

Bardem, who was inundated with praise online for his remark, and for introducing the award in Spanish, told the audience: "There are no borders or walls that can restrain ingenuity and talent.

“In any region of any country of any continent, there are always great stories that move us. And tonight we celebrate the excellence and importance of the cultures and languages of different countries."

Bardem was not the first star to take a swipe at the US leader over the border wall at the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.

Academy Awards 2019: Oscars Winners - In pictures

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Taking to the stage after a performance by Queen, Maya Rudolph joked: “Just a quick update… in case you're confused, there is no host tonight, no popular Oscar category and Mexico is not paying for the wall."

Mr Trump said earlier this month that Mexico border wall “will be built anyway” after lawmakers agreed a tentative agreement that only provides a quarter of the funding he has demanded.

The deal struck between Democrats and Republicans to ease the threat of a second crippling government shutdown includes $1.4 billion (£1.09 billion) for the wall.

Alfonso Cuaron receives the Foreign Language Film award for Roma from Angela Bassett and Javier Bardem
REUTERS

Roma was poised for Academy Award success after securing an impressive 10 nominations including nods in the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress categories.

The film, which has been described as a love letter to director Cuaron's upbringing in Mexico City, made history as the first Netflix original movie to be recognised in the Best Picture category.

It was joined in the Best Picture race by The Favourite, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Green Book, A Star is Born and Black Panther.