LA MASACRE DE LAS BANANERAS

Massacre of the Banana Plantations: A Historical Overview

Background and Economic Context

• The massacre occurred between December 5 and 6, 1928, during a period when foreign companies were heavily involved in agriculture on Colombia's Atlantic coast. This involvement began at the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century.

• Local elites capitalized on renewed economic activity by planting tobacco, cocoa, and sugar cane for export starting in 1881. This shift marked significant agricultural development in regions like Sinú Mompox and Santa Marta rivers.

Development of the Banana Industry

• In 1887, notable Samariums received authorization to build a railway from Santa Marta to the Magdalena River while also improving port facilities; this was crucial for banana transportation.

• The first banana plantation in Colombia was established in Ciénaga by José Manuel González who imported seeds from Panama; however, local businessmen struggled to fully develop large-scale production for international markets due to capital constraints.

Labor Needs and Recruitment Challenges

• The United Fruit Company (UFCO) emerged in Colombia around 1890, requiring substantial labor for infrastructure projects such as railways and irrigation canals essential for banana cultivation. High wages were offered to attract workers amidst initial labor shortages.

• Workers included former soldiers from the War of a Thousand Days, indigenous people from La Guajira, and migrants from other Colombian departments; however, many workers moved frequently between plantations which complicated retention efforts for UFCO.

Employment Practices and Exploitation

• UFCO employed a piecework payment system rather than hourly wages; workers were supervised by foremen but often faced exploitation through contractor hiring practices that distanced UFCO from direct employment responsibilities.

• Contractors sometimes reduced or withheld wages leading to worker dissatisfaction; this system allowed UFCO to evade Colombian labor laws enacted after 1915 aimed at regulating working conditions.

Unionization Efforts and Strike Initiation

• Following poor working conditions post-hurricane Seville, banana workers formed a union with nine demands presented on October 6, 1928; they sought recognition as employees of UFCO but faced refusal from management during negotiations.

• An ultimatum was issued by the union threatening a strike if negotiations failed by November 10; shortly thereafter, all fruit cutting operations were halted as tensions escalated within the workforce against UFCO's practices.

Escalation Towards Violence

• On November 12, following an assembly decision to strike against UFCO’s practices, work ceased entirely despite attempts by foremen to continue operations being met with resistance from workers who physically defended their crops.

Martial Law and the Strikers' Response

The Declaration of Martial Law

• At 1:30 AM, martial law was declared, leading to troops being marched from Antioquia to a square near the railway where strikers were gathered.

• Between 2,000 and 4,000 strikers were present in the square, engaged in various activities such as sleeping and chatting while awaiting more comrades.

• A captain read a decree prohibiting assemblies of more than three people; strikers were ordered to disperse or face potential gunfire.

The Soldiers' Orders and Initial Reactions

• Despite warnings, most of the crowd remained unmoved; some shouted slogans like "Viva Colombia Libre."

• General Y Cortés Vargas commanded his soldiers to open fire on the strikers, an order that shocked many who believed it would not be executed.

Aftermath of the Shooting

• In the hours following the shooting, residents heard distant sounds like a garbage truck and a train passing by while remaining confined in their homes.