In the 1990s, property values in the eastern lowlands, especially Santa Cruz, began to climb as the agribusiness model gained momentum. International demand for soybeans and foreign investment drove the market. The capital entering the country came especially from Brazil and secondarily Argentina, while colonies of Mennonite settlers also became significant domestic soybean producers. Sales notices in the local papers reflected the growing demand and rising prices for property.

Despite other political and economic changes in the country after 2006, the neoliberal dynamic in lowland agriculture only intensified. The land market was more active than ever, and the concentration of...