The Colombian writer Laura Ardila, author of the controversial book “The Costa Nostra” which addresses the political situation on the Colombian Caribbean coast, participated in a conversation during the Bogotá International Book Fair 2024where he shared details about his work and his experience as a journalist.
Ardila highlighted that, despite the initial fears and media controversies surrounding his book, it has continued its trajectory successfully and without facing legal action.
Also read: Vorágine Library: 10 books for 100 years of the novel by José Eustasio Rivera
“Specifically to the legal risk that the Planeta Publishing House, who at that time was supposed to be the one who was going to edit the book, so as not to publish it. That fear of that legal risk was really quite questionable or is quite questionable considering that seven, eight months after the book came out, fortunately there has been no legal action, The book had an effort and there is a maximum commitment to its rigor because all the data there was confirmed”Laura expressed.
Furthermore, Ardila mentioned the gesture of the current Minister of Culture Juan David Correa, who was previously part of the Planeta publishing house, who asked for forgiveness both the author and other journalists who have risked their lives for journalistic investigation.
“It is a laudable gesture, it is a gesture that I receive moved. Juan David Correa, beyond being a minister, is a great writer and a great editor who since the From the first moment he put on his shirt for this work, from the first moment, without having been the direct editor of the book, let us remember that he makes a resignation in which he statesthat because this book has been censored, which for him had an important journalistic quality,” he highlighted.
Ardila revealed that he has dedicated years of his life to journalistic investigation: “I have been a journalist for 20 years, 10 years focused on covering political issues and this journalistic obsession, or what I call a journalistic obsession in the good sense, began 8 years ago,” he indicated.
Also read: “Who was the real Cain”: History and death of Vicente Castaño
Laura assured that she now feels very happy to see how her book has toured various cities in Colombia and has been well received by the public.
Finally, Ardila expressed his interest in continuing to explore stories about power in different parts of the country for his next books.in a commitment to investigative journalism and the telling of stories relevant to society.
