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| 1932–34 |
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| The Leticia dispute with Peru. Occupation of Leticia by armed Peruvians brought the two countries to the verge of war. Under pressure from the Latin American powers and the U.S., the disputants finally permitted supervision of the area by a League of Nations commission. In the final settlement (1934) Peru and Colombia proclaimed peace and amity and renounced armed action. | 1 |
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| 1934–38 |
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| ALFONSO LÓPEZ PUMAREJO (1886–1959) became president, continuing the rule of the Liberal Party. He attempted a Colombian version of Roosevelt's American “New Deal.” With the support of labor and the Left, the government embarked upon far-reaching social reforms, aiming at government control of subsoil riches, agrarian reforms, etc. Primary education was made free and compulsory, and the Catholic Church was disestablished. All these policies called forth the opposition of the conservatives and clericals, who were further aided by the split in the Liberal ranks into moderate and progressive or even radical wings. | 2 |
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| 1938 |
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| Nevertheless, in the election the Liberals were able to maintain a majority. | 3 |
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| 1938–42 |
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| Eduardo Santos, a moderate Liberal, became president. The Liberals won in the congressional elections of March 19, 1939. | 4 |
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| 1941, Dec. 8 |
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| Colombia broke diplomatic relations with Japan, citing the Havana Resolution. | 5 |
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| 1942 |
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| Liberal Alfonso López was reelected president. | 6 |
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| Nov. 26 |
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| Colombia severed diplomatic relations with (Vichy) France. (See Colombia) | 7 |
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