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Writers Protest Hay Festival Over Machado's Controversial Invitation

12/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Three writers withdrew from the Hay festival in Cartagena, Colombia, protesting the invitation to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
They criticized Machado's support for U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and her ties to far-right leaders.
Colombian author Laura Restrepo condemned Machado as an advocate for imperialist actions.
Writer Giuseppe Caputo referenced deadly U.S. airstrikes in the Caribbean.
Machado, who recently escaped Venezuela, supports U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategy against Nicolás Maduro.

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Story summary

Three writers withdrew from the Hay festival in Cartagena, Colombia, protesting the invitation to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
They criticized Machado's support for U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and her ties to far-right leaders.
Colombian author Laura Restrepo condemned Machado as an advocate for imperialist actions.
Writer Giuseppe Caputo referenced deadly U.S. airstrikes in the Caribbean.
Machado, who recently escaped Venezuela, supports U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategy against Nicolás Maduro.