Land grabbing and armed conflict in Colombia (1874–2019): A historical analysis from a political ecology perspective

This article employs a political ecology perspective to analyze the relationship between land grabbing and the internal armed conflict (IAC) in Colombia between 1874 and 2019, focusing on the power relations that have shaped the agrarian structure. The present study employs a historical-comparative method and qualitative documentary review to examine the dynamics of territorial accumulation and the mechanisms that enabled these processes. The findings indicate that land grabbing is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it solely a result of the 2008 crisis. Rather, it is a structural process rooted in longstanding privatization policies, colonization strategies, and territorial control. During the IAC, forced displacement emerged as the predominant mechanism for land accumulation, thereby reinforcing patterns of dispossession and rural property concentration. A salient finding is the pivotal role played by national actors - political and economic elites, state institutions, and illegal armed groups in driving these dynamics. This study makes a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on the nexus between conflict, territory, and power. It underscores the role that structural inequalities play in perpetuating cycles of violence and exclusion. It is imperative to comprehend these historical dynamics to formulate policies that promote territorial justice and reconciliation in post-agreement Colombia. • Political ecology explains land grabbing in Colombia as a long-term, power-driven process (1874–2019). • National actors are central to historical and contemporary land grabbing dynamics. • Conflict intensity data reveal four phases of land grabbing and territorial control across regions. • Legality, violence, and institutions interact to shape land dispossession in Colombia. • Land grabbing in Colombia predates 2008 and stems from domestic historical processes, challenging global views.