A Man of Principle

The events begin after the 1946 presidential election and extend into the early 1950s, amid rising violence. The assassination of liberal leader Gaitán and the resulting fear push conservatives to consolidate power. The period culminates with the decline of liberal influence and the rise of violent political enforcement.

The story centers on Tulua, a Colombian town where conservative and liberal factions clash. Set in the late 1940s, the town becomes a microcosm of national politics after the close 1946 election. Its streets, churches, and markets turn into stages for intimidation, retaliation, and power plays.

🏛️ Power

A humble bookseller becomes a political operator and eventually a feared enforcer. The ruling Conservative Party uses state and party apparatus to elevate Lozano, while public institutions bend to his will. The transformation shows how power can corrupt relationships and erode democratic norms.

⚔️ Violence

The Birds' murder campaign marks the normalization of political killings. Opponents vanish, forums for dissent shut down, and fear becomes a social currency. The violence escalates from intimidation to direct assassination, shaping the town's psyche.

🗳️ Elections

The initial Conservative victory after the close 1946 election sets the stage for a turbulent power grab. Elections become leverage, then pretext for suppressing rivals. The narrative links the electoral process to the birth of a coercive regime.