The history of land reform in Latin America is a complex story that highlights the region’s deep socio-economic disparities, political instability, and the ongoing fight for social justice. Stemming from a colonial past where land ownership was concentrated among the elite, the question of land distribution became a central concern in the 20th century. Peasants and indigenous communities sought to reclaim land they believed was rightfully theirs.
The Mexican Revolution and early reforms
The Mexican Revolution (1910–1917) stands as a pivotal moment in the history of land reform in Latin America. The revolution was fueled by deep dissatisfaction among peasants and indigenous people with the hacienda system, which concentrated land in the hands of a wealthy minority while leaving most of the population impoverished and landless. Revolutionary leaders like Emiliano Zapata advocated for agrarian reform, famously rallying under the slogan "Tierra y Libertad" (Land and Freedom). The 1917 Constitution, a product of the revolution, included provisions for redistributing land to those who worked it. Under President Lázaro Cárdenas (1934–1940), these reforms took a radical turn. Cárdenas expropriated large estates, redistributing about 45 million acres to nearly 800,000 peasant families through ejidos—communal landholdings that could not be sold or rented. This policy not only empowered rural communities but also helped secure political backing for the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), setting a precedent for land reform in the region.
The spread of agrarian reform across Latin America
Inspired by Mexico, other Latin American nations began adopting agrarian reforms during the mid-20th century, especially after the 1959 Cuban Revolution. In Cuba, Fidel Castro’s government enacted sweeping reforms, expropriating large estates and redistributing land to smallholders. The Cuban example showed the potential for drastic change and inspired other countries facing similar land inequalities. In Chile, President Eduardo Frei initiated land reform in 1962, redistributing land from large estates to peasants. This initiative accelerated under Salvador Allende, elected in 1970, who expanded land redistribution and supported cooperatives. However, conservative opposition to these reforms contributed to political tensions, eventually culminating in Allende’s overthrow in 1973. Bolivia’s 1952 National Revolution also aimed to dismantle feudal-like land structures. The 1953 Agrarian Reform Law sought to redistribute land to indigenous communities and small farmers. While initially promising, Bolivia's reforms faced significant challenges, such as bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of agricultural development support, which hampered their long-term success.
The influence of U.S. intervention and neoliberalism
Land reform efforts in Latin America during the Cold War were heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions. After the Cuban Revolution, the United States, fearing the spread of communism, launched the Alliance for Progress in 1961. This initiative sought to promote economic development and land reform, but U.S.-backed reforms often emphasized stability over genuine social change, leading to superficial policies that failed to address deep-rooted inequalities. In the 1980s, as neoliberal economic policies took hold, many Latin American countries shifted away from redistributive land reforms toward market-based reforms. Structural adjustment programs imposed by international financial institutions pushed privatization and deregulation, which disproportionately harmed smallholder farmers. In countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, these policies favored large agribusinesses and contributed to rising rural poverty.
Challenges of implementation and counter-reforms
Despite initial successes, many land reform programs encountered significant obstacles during implementation. In Colombia, efforts to redistribute land in the 1960s were met with violent resistance from landowners, contributing to the long-standing conflict known as La Violencia (1948–1958). This unrest further complicated attempts to create more equitable land distribution in the country. In Peru, General Juan Velasco Alvarado’s 1968 reforms sought to break up large estates, but bureaucratic inefficiencies hindered progress. Although the land was redistributed, inadequate infrastructure and lack of investment led to stagnation in agricultural productivity, leaving many beneficiaries disillusioned. Over time, conservative governments enacted counter-reforms, rolling back many of the earlier changes in response to political and economic instability.
A renewed push for land reform
In recent years, land reform has regained attention in Latin America, fueled by populist movements demanding social justice and indigenous rights. Bolivia, under President Evo Morales, exemplified this resurgence. Morales' government implemented aggressive land redistribution policies aimed at correcting historical injustices faced by indigenous communities. His administration enacted laws to redistribute unused private land and secured new constitutional rights for indigenous peoples regarding land ownership. However, these efforts faced criticism, particularly for their environmental impacts and questions about long-term agricultural productivity. In Brazil, the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) has emerged as a prominent advocate for land reform. Since the late 20th century, the MST has pushed for agrarian reform through direct actions such as occupying unproductive land. The movement emphasizes not only access to land but also sustainable farming practices and social justice in rural areas.
Legacy
Land reform movements in Latin America have left a mixed legacy, marked by both achievements and ongoing challenges. Some reforms, like Mexico’s ejido system, succeeded in redistributing land and empowering marginalized groups. However, many reforms had unintended consequences, perpetuating inequality or creating new forms of exploitation. Each country’s experience with land reform has been shaped by local conditions, including political will, social organization, and external pressures such as U.S. intervention and global economic trends. The conversation around land reform continues today, as nations seek more equitable agricultural systems in the face of global market forces. The story of land reform in Latin America is not just a historical account—it remains a vital and evolving discussion about power, rights, and social justice. As new generations take up the struggle, they build on past efforts while envisioning innovative ways to secure fair access to land, a key resource for sustainable development and social equity.
Test your knowledge
What was a key factor that fueled the Mexican Revolution (1910–1917)?
