She said the neoliberal, capitalist model has managed to damage and disturb the Colombian resistance through war, through economic measures and eviction laws.

“Cultural identity is very important”, she said. One of capitalism’s most subtle strategies in Colombia has been the transformation of “our identity, our language and our culture”, which has led to invisibilize the peasants.
Benitez participated mainly in the commission of Knowledge, Culture and Identity.

She had a positive assessment of the outcomes of the Congress. “The first big achievement is that we managed to have unity among all the sectors and that is a big step forward. Secondly, we have managed to include the idea of building our new popular legislation that reflects the country we have dreamed of, the country we have fought for, and that we should defend from all capitalist policies”.

The leader also made reference to the peasant women’s role in defending land and territory, ahead of the National Congress of Peasant Women to be held in April of 2013.

Photo: CENSAT Agua Viva - Amigos de la Tierra Colombia