It’s not about building houses; it’s about building people’s power:

Conversation with Carmen and Andrea from the Movimiento Territorial de Liberación (MTL) Buenos Aires

Carmen and Andrea of the Movimiento Territorial de Liberación (MTL) in Buenos Aires, Ana Vilenica and Moisés Quiroz

Published in Issue 6.2 // Conversation Series

Keywords: territorial movements, housing, internationalism, Argentina

Abstract:

This conversation offers a look into the practices of the Movimiento Territorial de Liberación (MTL), a political and social organization in Argentina. It highlights the organization’s history, values, and significant projects, such as housing developments and community initiatives. Founded in 1999 after a break from the Argentine Communist Party over ideological differences, the MTL has its roots in Marxist-Leninist thought. Their work include building neighborhoods and developing collective housing for those displaced by neoliberal policies. The MTL’s projects go beyond merely providing shelter; they aim to foster a way of life that embodies their values of self-management, solidarity, and resistance against capitalist exploitation. Carmen, a leader within MTL, shares their journey, the challenges faced, and the ideological foundations of their work. Andrea, another key figure, manages finances and emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in their operations. The conversation also touches on the broader Latin American and global context, situating MTL’s struggle within a larger framework of resistance against neoliberalism and imperialism.

doi.org/10.54825/IVOY8783

The Movimiento Territorial de Liberación (MTL) is a social and political movement of employed and unemployed workers founded in 2001, representing over seventeen provinces in Argentina.

Ana Vilenica is a feminist, no border and urban activist and organiser from Serbia currently living in Italy. She is a member of the Beyond Inhabitation Lab, the Radical Housing Journal Editorial collective and the Feminist Autonomous Centre for research (FAC research).

Moisés Quiroz is a historian, urban planner, specialist in social development and PhD candidate on Urban and environmental studies at El Colegio de México. He is an activist for social and cooperative housing in Mexico City.

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