Liberal Revolutionary Movement

The Liberal Revolutionary Movement (MRL) was a political party in Colombia founded by Alfonso López Michelsen. He established this party in 1958 to oppose the National Front, a coalition of Liberals and Conservatives formed in 1957 to end a period of civil strife. The National Front guaranteed the peaceful alternation of presidential terms between the two major parties but, in López Michelsen's view, stifled genuine political competition.1

The MRL later rejoined the Liberal Party. The historical context of Colombian politics includes a long-standing rivalry between Liberal and Conservative parties, dating back to the late 1840s, which led to significant periods of civil conflict. The Liberal Party's guiding principle in the mid-19th century was to promote greater liberty, enacting reforms such as ending slavery and communal land ownership. However, these reforms also inadvertently strengthened the position of wealthy landowners and merchants.123