Colombia's National Land Agency allocates $15 billion for Arauca

Lina María Garrido Martín, Director General of the National Land Agency (ANT), has announced an investment of 15 billion Colombian pesos to support productive and community projects in the Arauca department. Of this total, 13 billion pesos are earmarked for peasant associations, while 2 billion pesos will support community initiatives, including those from indigenous and Black communities.

During her visit to the region, Garrido also addressed land formalization efforts, noting the need to provide legal security for rural properties and ethnic communities. The agency plans to hold a three-day institutional session in Arauca to open a call for interested associations to present their proposals. Additionally, the agency has allocated two equipped tractors to assist local agricultural activities.

Garrido reported that the agency is investigating alleged irregularities in land acquisition and contracting from the previous administration, matters which are being referred to oversight bodies. She also noted pending land titling processes for 18 public law entities, primarily rural educational institutions, and acknowledged delays in certain procedures managed by the Northeast Territorial Management Unit.