In 1971, the Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez published his landmark book, 'A Theology of Liberation', in Lima, Peru, solidifying a radical Christian theological movement known as Liberation Theology. Emerging from the systemic poverty and oppressive military dictatorships of Latin America, the movement argued that the Gospel demands a 'preferential option for the poor'. It asserted that Christian salvation must include active political liberation from unjust socioeconomic structures, sparking intense controversy within the institutional Catholic Church and deeply influencing global social justice movements.

Liberation theology directly inspired an explosion of politically radical, deeply spiritual verse across Latin America, most notably seen in the 'exteriorist' poetry of Nicaraguan priest Ernesto Cardenal. It redefined the role of the religious poet as a prophetic voice fighting against political tyranny.