Gioconda Belli, born in Managua in 1948, has been honored with the prestigious 2026 FIL Prize for Literature in Romance Languages. The jury praised her work for its direct and everyday expression, which has revitalized poetry surrounding the body, desire, and female pleasure. Belli's poetry merges sensory dimensions with political consciousness, bringing together the intimate and the collective, as well as eroticism and history.

Since her poetic debut with Sobre la grama in 1972, Belli has boldly explored the erotic, maternal, and corporeal aspects of womanhood. In her memoirs, El país bajo mi piel (2002), she recounts how her then-husband attempted to censor her writing in the name of family honor. However, poet José Coronel Urtecho brilliantly remarked in the prologue, "The woman who reveals herself, rebels." This theme of rebellion is evident in her acclaimed work Línea de fuego (1978), which won the prestigious Casa de las Américas Prize and deepens the connection between politics and radical affection.

Belli's first novel, La mujer habitada (1988), explores the link between politics and an unwavering ethics rooted in indigenous ancestry as a form of resistance to colonialism. This narrative also liberates personal eroticism and freedom. Her storytelling often carries a utopian vision, as seen in works like Waslala (1996) and El infinito en la palma de la mano (2008), which won the Biblioteca Breve and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz prizes. The latter reinterprets biblical myths from the perspective of Eve, symbolizing a quest for knowledge.

In El país de las mujeres, Belli continues to challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of women's experiences, solidifying her place as a pivotal figure in contemporary literature. Her contributions not only reflect personal narratives but also resonate with broader social and political themes, making her work a significant part of the literary landscape.