Land conflict: Return and restitution of land in el carpintero farm (Colombia)

Abstract

The importance of returning for emigrant populations is evidenced by the fact that return is present in almost every migratory project. Although there is a scarcity of research on this topic, it is especially interesting when return occurs in a context of conflict and in the framework of processes to restitute land to people who have previously been displaced and who return-or want to return-to their place of origin. This study specifically examines the case of El Carpintero farm in the municipality of Cabuyaro (Department of Meta, Colombia) through a qualitative analysis of documents of different kinds, particularly the novel use of videos of judicial processes. The analysis is performed using ATLAS.ti computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CADQAS), which has enabled identifying the objects and actors that, in return processes, determine land restitution conflicts.