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In harmony with what is expressed in the Statement of Motives of this act, the Legislature of Puerto Rico declares that the development of corporative latifundia in Puerto Rico has created a state of emergency which requires the immediate rescue of the lands from those [juridical] persons who monopolize them, and demands the end of the dominion, possession, or control of the lands by such persons, as these are defined in §§ 401—407 of this title, as an undeferrable necessity which fundamentally affects the welfare of the inhabitants of Puerto Rico. For the purpose of carrying out this declaration and of making it quickly effective, there is conferred on the Land Authority of Puerto Rico the power of expropriation for the purposes herein determined. For such purpose, the Authority can acquire lands through judicial proceedings, using therefor, when it considers it necessary and advantageous, the power of expropriation; Provided, That the Authority can exercise said power of expropriation only against [juridical] persons who, by possessing more than five hundred acres, are violating the provisions of §§ 241 et seq.

Provided, That the Authority can exercise said power of expropriation only against [juridical] persons who, by possessing more than five hundred acres, are violating the provisions of §§ 241 et seq. of this title, and such power of expropriation shall not be exercised against natural persons unless the lands in question belonged, on February 10, 1941, to some [juridical] person as defined in said §§ 401—407 of this title. History —Apr. 12, 1941, No. 26, p. 388, § 14; Mar. 29, 1945, No. 8, p. 28.