I discovered very quickly that criticism is a form of optimism, and that when you are silent about the shortcomings of your society, you're very pessimistic about that society. And it's only when you speak truthfully about it that you show your faith in that society.

Much later in his life he commented that "The United States is very good at understanding itself and very bad at understanding others. " Fuentes also criticized Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez dubbing him "a tropical Mussolini". His politics caused him to be blocked from entering the United States until a Congressional intervention in 1967.

Carlos Fuentes Macías (November 11 1928 – May 15 2012) was a Mexican novelist and essayist. His many literary honors include the Miguel de Cervantes Prize as well as Mexico's highest award the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor.