This study focuses on the rural population of Manta, Cundinamarca, Colombia, and analyzes the narratives of rural development policies to understand their impact on poverty reduction. The research is situated within the context of the *Colombia Rural. Razones para la esperanza* report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2011, which highlights the importance of understanding rural dynamics and the significant rural crisis and poverty in remote areas. The study aims to identify the social constructions created by the narratives in rural development policies and the perceptions of rural inhabitants in Manta during 2011-2015. The research is conducted from a constructivist perspective using qualitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis (ACA). It identifies different discourses in the narratives of rural development policies and their sociopolitical consequences. The study contrasts these representations with the counter-narratives of rural residents to provide insights into the effectiveness of the policies in addressing rural poverty. The analysis covers various national, departmental, and municipal development plans, including the *Informe Nacional de Desarrollo Humano* and the *Plan de Desarrollo Municipal 2012-2015*. The study also examines the *Misión para la transformación del campo* and the *Política Nacional de Seguridad Alimentaria*. The findings reveal that the policies have not fully addressed the needs of rural communities, particularly in terms of access to land, productive resources, and stable income sources. The study concludes with recommendations for improving the effectiveness of rural development policies to better serve the needs of rural populations.This study focuses on the rural population of Manta, Cundinamarca, Colombia, and analyzes the narratives of rural development policies to understand their impact on poverty reduction. The research is situated within the context of the *Colombia Rural. Razones para la esperanza* report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2011, which highlights the importance of understanding rural dynamics and the significant rural crisis and poverty in remote areas. The study aims to identify the social constructions created by the narratives in rural development policies and the perceptions of rural inhabitants in Manta during 2011-2015. The research is conducted from a constructivist perspective using qualitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis (ACA). It identifies different discourses in the narratives of rural development policies and their sociopolitical consequences. The study contrasts these representations with the counter-narratives of rural residents to provide insights into the effectiveness of the policies in addressing rural poverty. The analysis covers various national, departmental, and municipal development plans, including the *Informe Nacional de Desarrollo Humano* and the *Plan de Desarrollo Municipal 2012-2015*. The study also examines the *Misión para la transformación del campo* and the *Política Nacional de Seguridad Alimentaria*. The findings reveal that the policies have not fully addressed the needs of rural communities, particularly in terms of access to land, productive resources, and stable income sources. The study concludes with recommendations for improving the effectiveness of rural development policies to better serve the needs of rural populations.