During the late 20th century, Mario Benedetti (1920-2009) produced a steady stream of writings for El País, shaping a large portion of his public voice through articles and essays. His work from those years shows a writer deeply engaged with social issues and markedly focused on Latin America. For Benedetti, the newspaper was more than a workplace; it was a daily ritual, a secular devotion that fed both his conscience and his craft. Juan Cruz remembered Benedetti as someone who moved with the rhythm of the press, treating the newspaper as water every morning—essential, sustaining, and profoundly personal. [Citation: Journal excerpts and biographical notes on Benedetti]
The emotional and intellectual core of Benedetti’s output often aligned with the Ibero-American cultural landscape. In a public gathering closing his international seminar, Benedetti spoke at 7:00 p.m. about the relationship between journalism and literature within the Ibero-American sphere. The event, organized by the Universidad de Alicante and the Universidad Miguel Hernández, featured a talk-and-debate format with Benedetti in dialogue with scholars who have long studied his career. Carmen Alemany and Eva Valero offered critical perspectives, shedding light on Benedetti’s editorial stance and narrative voice. A close associate recalled Benedetti’s philosophy: the truth of the news deserved to be spoken in international arenas, not only in local outlets, because the aim was a broader human story rather than parochial concerns. [Citation: Conference proceedings and contemporaries’ reflections]
Described by many as a poet of the people who could glide between lyric and prose, Benedetti’s approach to the press reflected this dual identity. He could be sharp in critique yet generous in storytelling, always attentive to the human consequences of events and policies. Public discussions around his arguments sometimes sparked friction with other notable figures in the literary world, including contemporaries such as Juan Goytisolo and Mario Vargas Llosa. Yet Benedetti’s alliances proved resilient. A notable moment involved a joint lecture with Llosa that helped mend fences and foster new collaborations, with Benedetti’s forthrightness playing a key role. [Citation: Literary histories and interviews]
According to Juan Cruz, who visited Benedetti in Montevideo shortly before the poet’s death, Benedetti believed newspapers could either betray or valorize certain voices depending on editorial leanings. He sensed a political solidarity among journals, a perception shaped by how different outlets framed debates and published contentious opinions. This awareness did not stop him; it reinforced his sense of civic duty and a commitment to contribute to public discourse through clear, humane writing. Benedetti remained convinced that journalism could educate, challenge, and illuminate, even when it stirred controversy. [Citation: Personal recollections and archival material]
In the eyes of readers and scholars, Benedetti emerges as a civic poet who also wrote prose with precision and clarity. His stance toward the press reflected a broader belief in timely, evidence-based journalism that could anchor readers in the present while weaving connections to enduring human concerns. He favored newspapers as vehicles for immediate commentary, ensuring his essays stayed relevant to ongoing events and debates. This commitment to immediacy did not sacrifice depth; rather, it amplified his ability to blend contemporary observation with lasting themes. [Citation: Critical studies and essays]