Villarica, a town located in the northern part of the Department of Cauca (Colombia), has lived and remained affected by a number of historical circumstances, which characterize its economic, political, and cultural everyday life. A history signaled by the difficulties inherent to living in an unknown, alien land, as well as the economic and political interests opposed to the life expectations of its inhabitants. The Páez Law is one of those circumstances that is worth analyzing as a milestone in local history.Villarica, población del norte del departamento del Cauca, ha vivido y permanece afectada por una serie de circunstancias históricas que marcan su diario acontecer económico, político y cultural. Una historia signada por las dificultades propias de vivir en una tierra desconocida, ajena, marcada por intereses económicos y políticos contrarios a las expectativas de vida de sus habitantes. La Ley Páez es una de esas circunstancias que bien vale la pena analizar como hito de la historia local.Universidad de San Buenaventura - Cali