The 1970 presidential elections were contested by the conservative Misael Pastrana Borrero and General Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, leader of the Alianza Nacional Popular (National Popular Alliance), a motley organization, with liberals, conservatives and military men in line with Latin American progressive movements.

The elections were held on April 19 of that year. According to the afternoon radio transmissions, the general seemed to have the majority of votes; however, in the evening the Minister of Government, Carlos Augusto Noriega, suspended the information of the contest. A state of siege was declared. President Carlos Lleras pronounced his famous "clock speech", with which he announced the curfew and the obligation of all Colombians to go to sleep.

The results came in dribs and drabs, the anxiety of Colombians increased, since for many it was the opportunity to put an end to the National Front which, for many sectors, was considered as a pact of elites. Finally, the victory of Pastrana Borrero was proclaimed.

The suspicion of fraud was inevitable. There were demonstrations, but General Rojas did not fight to vindicate his victory. Minister Noriega, nicknamed 'El Tigrillo', confirmed the suspicions in his book 'Fraude en la Elección de Pastrana Borrero', published in 1992.

Shortly after the elections, some curious notices appeared in the press and on the walls of some cities that seemed to promote medicinal restorative: "Lack of energy, parasites? wait M-19" or "Lack of energy. Inactivity? Wait for M-19". And in January 1974, the group's first action took place, with the theft of the Liberator's sword in the Quinta de Bolivar. From then on, the M-19 presented itself as an urban, nationalist, anti-imperialist and anti-oligarchic political-military organization.

Its leaders came from the left wing of Anapo, as well as sympathizers of the Golconda religious group and disenchanted members of the FARC and the Communist Party. Some of them were Carlos Pizarro Leongómez, son of an admiral; Jaime Bateman; Everth Bustamante, Andrés Almarales and Carlos Toledo Plata.

According to their manifestos, they wanted to achieve a truly participatory democracy, without Marxist reference, unlike the Farc, the Eln and the Epl. They were joined by sectors of the middle class and the working class, whom this organization supported in their struggles. Through their communications agency 'Oiga Hermano' they disseminated bulletins and communiqués, and at the same time they were close to the magazine Alternativa, a publication of investigative journalism.

The actions of the M-19 materialized in operations of great public impact, such as the theft of Bolivar's sword (1974), the theft of at least 5,000 weapons from Cantón Norte (January 1, 1979), and the seizure of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic (1980), on a day when several ambassadors were meeting, including that of the United States. The seizure lasted two months and aroused the interest and curiosity of the people of Bogota. It ended without bloodshed.

On the other hand, the seizure of the Palace of Justice in 1985, with the objective of bringing President Betancur to trial, turned into a tragedy with the retaking of the Palace by the Army, with a toll of 11 magistrates dead, several civilians, and missing persons, for a total of 94 dead. Other acts, such as the assassination of José Raquel Mercado, president of the trade union CTC, or the 53-day kidnapping of Álvaro Gómez Hurtado, were repudiated. At the same time, the robbery of trucks loaded with foodstuffs to distribute them in the neighborhoods was well regarded by popular sectors, although the last one, on September 30, 1985, ended in the death of the assailants.

The agreement implied the laying down of arms and the right to political participation of the demobilized combatants. This was how the idea of a National Constituent Assembly was conceived to create the Constitution that replaced the 1886 Constitution, opening politics to new political parties and movements. With the seventh ballot, a student initiative, the objective was achieved, and in the election of the members of the Constituent Assembly, the Democratic Alliance M-19 achieved a considerable vote.

the M-19 would eventually become another political party in colombia.

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  • Koa_lala [he/him]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Thank you, that means a lot. Sometimes I feel more connected to people online, that I barely know, than anyone in real life.