The land that made him a leader. Chronicles of Vichada and its struggles. Interview with peasant community leader Jorge Eliecer Vega.

Article Sidebar

Esta es la portada de la revista *Revista de Estudios Colombianos*. El título está destacado en la parte superior con una fuente moderna y en negrita. Debajo del título, los detalles de publicación indican que es el número 66, correspondiente a julio-diciembre de 2025. La revista es publicada por la Asociación de Colombianistas. En el fondo, hay una obra de arte texturizada que presenta tonos de turquesa y blanco, representando olas del océano estrellándose contra acantilados rocosos. Los colores evocan un sentido de movimiento y belleza natural, contrastando con el texto estructurado en la parte superior. English Description This is the cover of the journal Revista de Estudios Colombianos. The title is prominently displayed at the top in a bold, modern font. Below the title, the publication details indicate it is issue number 66, covering July to December 2025. The journal is published by the Association of Colombianists. In the background, there is a textured artwork featuring shades of turquoise and white, representing ocean waves crashing against rocky cliffs. The colors evoke a sense of movement and natural beauty, contrasting with the structured text above.
PDF (Spanish)
Published: Jan 16, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53556/pbmh7b78
Keywords:
(Peasant leadership), (Land conflict), (Absent state), peace process

Main Article Content

Maria Angelica Bernal Vega
Estudiante
Alfonso Torres Carrillo

Abstract

Abstract 
This interview chronicles the life of Jorge Eliecer Vega, a peasant leader from Vichada, Colombia, from his migration in the 1960s to his fight for land, community organizing, and his critique of forced coca crop eradication. His testimony exposes tensions between state neglect, armed violence, and peace agreements, underscoring the resilience of rural communities. Vega emphasizes the need for peace built from the ground up, with voluntary crop substitution and land access.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 66 (2025)
Section
Interviews
Author Biographies

Maria Angelica Bernal Vega, Estudiante

Español:

Educadora popular (Universidad Pedagógica Nacional). Magíster en Historia y Etnohistoria. Doctorante en Antropología Social (ENAH, México). Investigadora en estudios decoloniales, género y educación intercultural. Participa en proyectos comunitarios en Colombia y México.

English:

Popular educator (Universidad Pedagógica Nacional). MA in History and Ethnohistory. PhD candidate in Social Anthropology (ENAH, Mexico). Researcher in decolonial studies, gender, and intercultural education. Involved in community projects in Colombia and Mexico.

Alfonso Torres Carrillo

Español:

Docente-investigador de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional de Bogotá. Doctor en Estudios Latinoamericanos (UNAM). Educador popular con experiencia en movimientos sociales e historia oral. Autor de libros y artículos sobre pedagogías críticas y educación popular. Miembro de redes académicas latinoamericanas.

English:

Professor-researcher at Universidad Pedagógica Nacional (Bogotá). PhD in Latin American Studies (UNAM). Popular educator with expertise in social movements and oral history. Author of books and articles on critical pedagogies and popular education. Member of Latin American academic networks.