Salman Rushdie Reflects on Life, Death, and Freedom of Expression at Hay Festival

Renowned author Salman Rushdie spoke at the Hay Festival in Cartagena, Colombia, on February 1, 2025, discussing themes from his memoir, "Knife," which recounts his near-fatal stabbing in 2022. Rushdie, 77, highlighted the importance of humor in his recovery process and his return to public events as a form of defiance against fear. Although he expressed a desire for normalcy, he acknowledged the need for security in large gatherings. In a conversation with EL PAÍS, Rushdie criticized Elon Musk, claiming that Musk's assertion of defending freedom of expression is a facade, stating that he "curates the discourse of the extreme right." Rushdie also commented on the cultural implications of immigration, urging Americans to recognize their nation’s foundational myth as a haven for immigrants, and warned against the repercussions of recent anti-immigration sentiment. He emphasized the historical significance of migration in shaping culture and cautioned that deportation policies could have detrimental effects on vital sectors of American society.

Colombia is seeking to diversify its export markets in the wake of a recent diplomatic spat with the United States, where former President Donald Trump's threat to increase tariffs on Colombian products raised alarms about the country’s heavy reliance on its northern neighbor. According to experts, President Gustavo Petro’s government is now focusing on expanding trade relations with countries like China and those in Europe, although there are significant challenges ahead, including outdated customs processes and a lack of engagement from local businesses. During his inauguration of Finance Minister Diego Guevara, Petro emphasized the need for Colombia to market to a variety of countries rather than remaining reliant on one. Javier Díaz, president of the National Association of Foreign Trade, acknowledged the urgency for market diversification, stating that strong ties with the U.S. must continue. Recent conversations with China’s ambassador signal a potential for enhanced trade relations, as Colombia previously initiated a partnership within China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which could yield substantial investments in infrastructure.

In the wake of recent trade tensions with the United States, Colombia is seeking to diversify its export markets to reduce dependency. Following a threat from former President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, President Gustavo Petro has emphasized the need to expand trade relationships, particularly with China and Europe, according to local analysts. Colombia's economy heavily relies on the U.S., which absorbs a substantial portion of its exports, including coffee, flowers, and oil. Experts warn that overcoming the historical disinterest among Colombian businesses and outdated customs processes will be essential for diversifying exports. “We have to modernize customs to enable successful entry into new markets,” said Javier Díaz, president of the National Association of Foreign Trade. Minister of Commerce Luis Carlos Reyes recently met with the Chinese ambassador to review trade relations, indicating a potential strengthening of ties. Furthermore, Colombia has initiated processes to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, underscoring its commitment to developing new trade partnerships.