Tierra’s special edition for Republican Spain

Tierra was the newspaper of the Partido Comunista de Colombia (PCC) which had formed in 1930 following the ‘Bolshevisation’ and incorporation into the Communist International of the Partido Socialista Revolucionario. Although still comparatively small, the PCC expanded in size and influence during the early 1930s and was responsible for important action across rural and urban areas. Like leftist groups in Europe and elsewhere in the Americas, the PCC understood the Spanish conflagration in both international and local terms. Following the Comintern line, Colombian communists believed that the democratic and progressive Popular Front government was victim to a counterrevolution by reactionary forces supported by international fascism. Their support for the Spanish Republic was expressed explicitly in terms of this government which they believed received its legitimacy from the alliance with the Spanish working class.

The PCC did not have significant representation at the national level – only one communist representative after the 1937 congressional elections – so it mobilized local groups to push for change. This commitment to grassroots activity helped the party play a significant role in coordinating pro-Republican activity in Colombia, and Tierra became an important platform to advertise and disseminate such action. Via their newspaper, the PCC opened up a regular subscription and ran several drives to collect as many cigarettes, coffee and cane sugar as possible for Republican Spain. In July 1938, Tierra announced a week-long campaign in which various activities would take place, culminating with a 32-page special edition dedicated to the Spanish government. 

The PCC also worked with the various popular committees in support of Republican Spain that had been appearing across Colombia since late 1937. In late 1938, party-member Filiberto Barrero embarked on a tour of Colombia to visit different workers’ organizations and encourage them to donate money for the Republican government and people. These pro-Republican initiatives managed to raise around $15,800 Colombian pesos (approximately USD$195,000 today) to aid soldiers and civilians in Republican zones across Spain. 

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