Memories and challenges of the struggle for land in the 21st century Venezuela: dialogues with the peasant movement

Abstract

In a context of low oil prices, changes in the regional trend of left- leading to liberal governments,
State-society interactions in Venezuela become more complex and the land reform
return to the limelight in the food sovereignty debate. In view of that, agroecological movement
recognize the need of historical reconstruction of the contemporary land reform process. As
the groundwork, were consulted multiples information sources (academic, newspaper and audiovisual),
visits to land reform settlements (fundos) were conducted, and interviews to peasant
leaderships were held. Based on the information collected, three periods was identified: before
Land law LTDA adoption, during LTDA implementation, and current one with articulation of land
and communal struggles. Tensions between State- social movements and State- landowners
are noted as main challenges for contested land.