Stage set for Latin Grammys

Colombian rock artist Juanes stands to walk away with the lion's share of awards at the Latin Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Juanes, 27, has been nominated in seven categories, including album of the year, song of the year and best new artist.

He will battle out with Spanish artist Alejandro Sanz, who received five nominations including best male pop vocal.

But the event, only in its second year, is overshadowed by controversy. Anti-Castro demonstrators are threatening to storm the event in a protest at the presence of Cuban artists.

Last month, organisers moved the show from Miami to LA, where the Cuban community is smaller, in an effort to reduce the risk of protests.

The change of venue caused disruption to preparations among organisers and artists.

It also upset members of the Latin music industry who saw Miami as a natural home for the awards.

But the relocation has not calmed Cuban-American protesters.

Anti-Castro feelings run just as high among the hard-line anti-communist Cuban-American groups in LA.

Mainstream

Juanes expressed his sadness that the awards, intended to be a celebration, had turned sour.

Martin " vspace="0" border=1 width="150" height="180" src="https://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1535000/images/_1536853_martin_150.jpg"> Ricky Martin will perform

"I feel good in LA, I lived here for quite a while, I did my record here, but it's really sad for Miami because this is about music," said Juanes.

"The Cubans are incredible musicians - you can't mix politics with music. It's sad for the Cubans and it's sad for Miami, it could've been really good for Miami."

Nominees in 39 categories will compete for the awards.

The awards have gained mainstream interest, due in part to the success of crossover artists like Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony.

Martin and other big name artists featured strongly among the nominees and presenters at last year's event.

Pop sensation Christina Aguilera, another singer who has helped make Latin music more mainstream, is up for two prizes this year.

Christina Aguilera is up for two awards

They include the award for best record of the year for Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti [But I remember you].

Aguilera will also host the event along with LA Law actor Jimmy Smits.

And many big names, including Martin, are set to perform or present awards.

Among the presenters lined up for the awards are Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez and her former boyfriend, rap artist Sean "P Diddy" Combs.

But compared to the inaugural Latin Grammys, this year focuses on a more diverse group of artists, spanning Spanish flamenco to New York salsa.

Colombian electronic rock combo Aterciopelados are also competing for record of the year along with Brazilian artist Gilberto Gil.

Lopez will be among the guests

Cuban artists and bands among the nominees include jazz pianist Chucho Valdes, pop artist Andres Alen and salsa singer Isaac Delgado.

The awards will be presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and Latin Recording Academy.

The ceremony will be broadcast across the US and to 120 other countries.

Last year's show was the first multi-lingual event to be shown live during prime time on network TV. The broadcast was dominated by Carlos Santana, who won a hat-trick of awards.