The Zapatistas
 
 
 Chiapas is the most resource-rich state in Mexico, including some of the richest oil reserves in Mexico, which best explains the government's obsession as well as the role of the United States in the region. In spite of the abundance of natural resources, there is a high level of poverty and the schools, hospitals, and basic services remain horrendous.
 
This is the setting of one of the most influential rebellions yet seen in Latin America.  On January 17, 1994  a guerrilla group in Mexico took three towns, unwilling to suffer in silence any more.  Since then, Chiapas has become a worldwide focus since it is one popular uprising that shows some chance of success.

In their original declaration of war as well as other statements the Zapatistas have explained that their fight is for work, land, housing, food, health care, education, independence, liberty, democracy, justice, and peace. The Zapatistas have asserted on every occasion that only a complete metamorphosis of the political system will achieve these demands.

The Zapatistas are very unique since from the very beginning they have tried to make a broad exclusive movement.  One way they tried to do this is by having various groups take up the struggle in their own ways.  Even though the Zapatistas consist of several thousand armed soldiers, there are tens of thousands of villagers who support them. Also, unlike many other armed revolutionary movements, the Zapatistas have not attempted to take over any state power.  For them, using arms was the only way to be sure that their message would be noticed.  Since this was their only goal, they have refused to assert themselves as a political group or to try to get into office as many armed revolutionary's have done.

One of the key leaders of the Zapatista movement is Subcomandante Marcos, a mestizo who was educated in Mexico City but decided to move to the jungles of Chiapas.  Marcos is the most publicized member of the group but he is not the sole leader.  The movement is much more of a group effort.

 
Subcomandante 
Marcos
 
 
In 1996, two years after the Zapatistas staged an armed uprising that drew international attention to the region, the Mexican government and the EZLN signed partial peace agreements known as the San Andres Accords. The accords guaranteed the Zapatistas the right to free passage during negotiations and promised that the government would stop all attempts to pursue or prosecute members. It also forbid the military from interfering with civilians.
 http://lafreepress.callme.net/zapatistaseng.html

For a little more information on the Zapatistas go to                http://www.altculture.com/aentries/z/zapatistas/html

 
 
 
 

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Bibliography