Jorge Eliécer Gaitán

Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Ayala (23 January 1903 - 9 April 1948) was a charismatic Colombian politician from the left. He was the mayor of Bogotá from 1936 to 1937, the national Education Minister from 1940 to 1941, and the Labor Minister from 1943 to 1944. He was assassinated during his second presidential campaign in 1948, sparking the Bogotazo and the violent period of political unrest known as La Violencia in Colombian history (approx. 1948 to 1958).

Due to the chaotic public disorder, Gaitan's relatives were forced to bury him in his own house, which is now known as the Jorge Eliécer Gaitán House Museum, where his remains still rest. During the period known as La Violencia, the bipartisan violence spread to other regions.

According to an urban legend, during a debate with the Conservative candidate for president, Gaitán asked him how he made a living. "From the land," said the other candidate.

"Ah, and how did you get this land? " Gaitán inquired.

"I inherited it from my father!"

"And where did he get it from?"

"He inherited it from his father!"

The question is asked again and again until the Conservative candidate admits, "We took it from the Natives."

"Well, we want to do the opposite: we want to give the land back to the Natives," Gaitán responded.