Salman Rushdie Reflects on Survival and Freedom of Expression at Cartagena Festival

At the Hay Festival in Cartagena, Colombia, Salman Rushdie, 77, shared insights from his memoir "Knife," recounting his 2022 knife attack that left him with 15 stab wounds. Rushdie emphasized the importance of returning to public life as an act of resistance against fear, stating, "I don't want to spend the rest of my life being invisible." Though he once preferred to avoid bodyguards, he now acknowledges the need for precaution during large events. In a conversation with EL PAÍS, Rushdie criticized social media mogul Elon Musk for his claims about defending free expression, asserting that Musk “curates the discourse of the extreme right.” He also discussed the adaptation of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Netflix, noting that the essence of Gabriel García Márquez's work, particularly its language, was lost in the series. Reflecting on immigration, he cautioned against the erosion of cultural values in the U.S., warning that deportation could lead to significant social consequences.

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relations with countries like China and those in Europe, although there are significant challenges ahead, including outdated customs processes and a lack of engagement from local businesses.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.