Overview
- Colombian authors Laura Restrepo and Giuseppe Caputo and Dominican writer Mikaelah Drullard said they will not attend the 2026 Cartagena edition in protest of Machado’s inclusion.
- Restrepo cited Machado as an active supporter of U.S. military intervention in Latin America as her reason for canceling.
- Caputo wrote on Instagram that he could not share the festival with Machado, referencing U.S. actions in the Caribbean and voicing concerns about leaders such as Trump and Netanyahu; Drullard said she would not share a space with Machado and accused the event of amplifying interventionist and “pro-genocide” positions.
- The Hay Festival stated it respects the withdrawals, reaffirmed its commitment to open, plural dialogue, and noted it does not align with participants’ opinions, with the program still set for January 29 to February 1, 2026, featuring more than 180 guests from 25 countries.
- Public reaction has been split on social media, with some backing the cancellations and others, including Venezuelan writer Rodrigo Blanco Calderón, criticizing them as politically driven.