Spanish to English Social Sciences History Argentina, land grants

It's the late colonial period, around 1800, and the discussion is about trying to obtain property titles. File a claim with the Viceroy in Buenos Aires, or take it before the local Cabildo?

Here's a little context; it's the final phrase that leaves my mind totally blank:

"Muchas solicitudes de tierras tienen incluso, como hemos visto, origen en peticiones a los Cabildos. Aun en el caso en que se plantearan conflictos, los tiempos de la justicia jugaban a favor del statu quo y de la importancia de las esferas de influencia locales en torno a la tierra, dado que en todo el período colonial ningún poseedor logró llegar al dominio pleno. Las autoridades locales defendieron siempre sus prerrogativas, que se constituían **en claro factor de poder.**

OK, in general I get that the cabildantes felt they had a perfect right to distribute land to the vecinos; it was their prerogative. But what does that one phrase mean, and how do I translate it?

Hurry, please, deadline in less than 10 hours. Thanks in advance.