Agrarian Reform in Colombia: A Historical Perspective

In 1930, the Agrarian Problem became a significant challenge in Colombia, with a new progressive elite focused on social issues advocating for a welfare state. Figures like Alfonso López Pumarejo, Jorge Gaitán, and Carlos Restrepo led this new liberal movement, emphasizing that land should be for those who work it and should serve a social function for the common good.

In September 1900, López Pumarejo emphasized the need for just and democratic laws regarding land ownership and its use. Gaitán advocated for the expropriation of unworked lands, stating that land rights should be based on human effort, as land is essential for life. These ideas laid the foundation for future land reform movements.

Gustavo Petro's calls for land democratization and agrarian reform echo the sentiments of López Pumarejo and Gaitán in the 1930s. Both leaders, representing progressive liberalism, sought to address the Agrarian Problem in Colombia through legal reforms and social justice initiatives, setting the stage for future political debates and actions.

In 1933, under the government of Olaya Herrera, the first attempts at agrarian reform were made, recognizing colonists' rights to occupy idle lands. However, these efforts were thwarted by conservative and right-wing congressmen. Subsequent reforms in 1936 under Alfonso López Pumarejo's presidency aimed at a more interventionist state, alarming political and economic elites but laying the groundwork for significant changes in industrial and labor policies.

In 1936, the Colombian government, in favor of a secular state, implemented measures to make education more secular. This move was seen as a direct challenge to the conservative elites who had a strong alliance with the Catholic Church.

The most concerning reform proposal for the establishment was the agrarian reform. It not only stated that land belonged to those who worked it but also assigned a social function to it. The proposal included mechanisms for land expropriation based on the principle of public utility.

Historian Álvaro Tirado explains the backdrop of Colombia in 1936, which set the stage for the reform. The country faced issues of land concentration and inequality in the agricultural sector, despite being the source of food for the population.

In the 1930s, there was a notable regime change in Colombia. The Conservative Party, which had been in power for 44 years, became increasingly outdated and divided. Within the Conservative Party, rebellious factions like the 'leopardos' emerged, showing resistance to the conservative leadership.

The 1936 Constitution of Colombia introduced the concept that property had a social function. This ideological shift paved the way for land laws that aimed to clarify property rights and address issues of land ownership and usage.

The legal framework established in 1936 allowed for the expropriation of land for public utility and social interest. The Land Law aimed to provide clarity on property ownership, ensuring that land had a social function and could be proven through either historical titling or economic usage.

Landowners often deceived authorities by falsely claiming small-scale agricultural activities on large estates to meet economic requirements. For instance, a property of 300 hectares would be presented with a caretaker and three cows to fulfill legal obligations, despite the reality of land use being different.

The agrarian reform of 1936 led to the formation of a new political movement called 'Patriotic Economic National Action,' uniting liberal and conservative landowners to resist the reform and maintain control over unproductive lands.

The legal framework established by Law 200 and the 1936 Constitution laid the foundation for future developments in land reform. While some land redistribution occurred, the reform aimed to promote equity, development, and social peace, facing strong opposition labeling it as communist despite its modern capitalist intentions.

The assassination of Jorge Eliecer Gaitán in 1948 marked the beginning of a dark period known as the 'Era of Violence' in Colombia. This era saw a bloody partisan conflict between the conservative and liberal parties, claiming the lives of approximately 200,000 Colombians over a decade, leading to significant societal regression.

The assassination of Gaitán not only triggered a new wave of violence but also further impeded the reforms initiated by López Pumarejo. His tenancy law, passed during his second term, was rendered ineffective by an opposition-led congress, ultimately stalling the reform process as conservative forces sought to suppress reformist movements.

In 1948, Mariano Ospina Pérez assumed the presidency after the assassination of Gaitán, who was on the verge of becoming the leader of the Liberal Party and possibly the next president of Colombia. The 1950 elections, held amidst public unrest and political crisis, saw tensions rise between the Liberal and Conservative parties. The Liberal Party, boycotting the elections due to perceived lack of guarantees, led to Laureano Gómez's election as the only candidate, receiving over 1 million votes, ending the decade with a conservative military dictatorship.

The 1950s in Colombia marked a period of institutional destabilization with the closure of Congress and the establishment of a conservative military dictatorship under Rojas. This era saw significant agrarian reforms, including a counter-agrarian reform that exacerbated land concentration issues. The political landscape led to the Front National policy, aiming to reconcile former adversaries and achieve peace through a democratic regime with some restrictions.

In 1957, Colombia sought to end the war as the Liberal and Conservative parties signed a peace agreement under the Front National. The agreement aimed to halt political violence, with Alberto Lleras Camargo, a liberal president, leading the peace efforts. The Front National's objective was partially achieved, bringing a temporary halt to political violence and fostering a period of relative peace.

In 1960, Alberto Lleras Camargo returned to address the acute agrarian issues in Colombia, exacerbated by land concentration due to the ongoing war. The need to democratize land ownership and address title problems led to the creation of INCORA through the passage of Law 135. Lleras Camargo's government embarked on a new agrarian reform, recognizing the importance of land reform in mitigating violence and promoting social stability.

The Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro aimed to expropriate land from the wealthy to distribute it to the poor, prompting President Kennedy to introduce a kind of Marshall Plan in Latin America in response to the spread of communism. This plan involved allocating a substantial budget to promote agrarian reform across the continent, recognizing that land reform was crucial for capitalist development.

The concept of agrarian reform was not new and had been previously proposed in post-war Japan by General MacArthur to transition from a feudalistic society. In Colombia, President Alberto Yeras emphasized the need for land to serve a social function, targeting landowners and large landholders to promote economic development and provide opportunities for landless Colombians.

A decree was issued to establish a government advisory committee to draft legislation on agrarian structure in Colombia. The aim was to accelerate economic development by providing land and employment opportunities to Colombians, enhancing agricultural productivity, implementing cooperative production systems, improving rural life services, preventing land concentration, and ensuring the rights and well-being of agricultural laborers.

Alberto Yeras and Carlos Yeras identified land issues and education as fundamental causes of social problems in the 1950s. They emphasized the importance of addressing these pillars to tackle the underlying issues effectively, highlighting the significance of land redistribution and educational reforms in fostering social progress and stability.

The US, through initiatives like the Alliance for Progress, advocated for agrarian reforms in Latin America to promote democracy and modernization. Recognizing the link between lack of modernization and violence in the region, the US supported financial aid for agrarian reforms to establish a democratic and economically stable foundation. The establishment of INCORA in 1961 marked a significant step towards implementing progressive land reform policies.

Land reform policies in Colombia encompassed more than just land distribution, including aspects like irrigation channels. The concentration of land led to the creation of regulations allowing for expropriation. However, there has been a significant regression in the country's legal mindset regarding land reform.

In 1966, Carlos Lleras Restrepo took significant steps to revitalize agrarian reform in Colombia. He emphasized the need for peasant support and collaboration, leading to the establishment of the National Association of Peasant Users. This association played a crucial role in driving agrarian reform during Lleras Restrepo's presidency.

A pivotal moment in Colombia's agrarian reform was the transition of peasants from working on leased land to becoming landowners. This shift aimed to end the era of oppressive landowners and empower the peasant population.

Carlos Lleras Restrepo made significant contributions to addressing Colombia's agrarian issues, starting from a young age with Jorge Eliecer Gaitan. Despite some criticisms of his reform efforts, Lleras Restrepo's initiatives, including the Alliance for Progress, made tangible progress in agrarian reform.

Subsequent governments, like that of Guillermo León Valencia, with a conservative mindset, slowed down the progress of agrarian reform initiated by Carlos Lleras Restrepo. The social and peasant movement during Gerard's presidency marked a significant period in Colombia's history, although it ended tragically.

During the 20th century in Colombia, various attempts at agrarian reform faced significant challenges. The opposition from the powerful landowning sector, internal divisions within the leftist groups, and political shifts hindered the implementation of comprehensive agrarian reforms. These challenges led to a cycle of violence and a lack of substantial progress in redistributing land to benefit rural communities.

Historically, agrarian reform efforts in Colombia faced setbacks when conservative governments came to power. Reforms initiated by leaders like Carlos Lleras and López Pumarejo were thwarted by conservative administrations, such as that of Misael Pastrana. The cycle of promising reforms followed by conservative opposition repeated, leading to a lack of significant changes in land distribution.

In recent history, the term 'agrarian reform' resurfaced during Gustavo Petro's presidency in Colombia. Despite previous peace agreements and laws aimed at rural development, it was under Sanper's administration that a law authorizing land acquisition for rural programs benefiting 700 peasant families was passed. This marked the last significant mention of agrarian reform until the peace agreement with FARC.

The current focus on agrarian reform in Colombia centers around the Comprehensive Rural Reform agreed upon in the peace deal with FARC. This initiative aims to provide land titles to landless peasants, update land registries, increase rural property taxes, and establish a land fund of 3 million hectares to be distributed over 8 years. These efforts seek to address historical land inequality and promote rural development.

Looking ahead, Gustavo Petro's proposed agrarian reform in Colombia is set to be explored further. Despite past reluctance to address agrarian issues, Petro's reform proposals are expected to go beyond previous attempts by liberal progressives in the 20th century. The upcoming discussions will delve into the dimensions and potential impact of Petro's reform agenda.