Overview
- Colombian authors Laura Restrepo and Giuseppe Caputo and Dominican writer Mikaelah Drullard said they will skip the 2026 edition in protest of Machado’s inclusion.
- Restrepo called the invitation a crossing of a line, citing Machado as an active supporter of U.S. military intervention in Latin America.
- Caputo and Drullard said they would not share a forum with Machado, denouncing what they described as interventionist and pro‑genocide positions.
- The festival said it remains a plural forum for dialogue, emphasized it does not subscribe to participants’ political views, and respected the decision to withdraw.
- The Cartagena event is scheduled for January 29–February 1, 2026 with more than 180 guests, as online reaction to the withdrawals ranged from support to sharp criticism.