Zapatistas: Who are they?

Who are the Zapatistas? A group of Mexicans who support improved rights & living conditions for Mexico’s indigenous people In the late 1900s, the Zapatistas were known for harassment and sabotage against the government

Emiliano Zapata 1880-1919 Hero in the Mexican revolution of 1914-1915 Demanded justice for the indigenous people of Mexico

How are they solving their problems? Guerilla Warfare

What is Guerrilla Warfare? Sudden, unexpected acts of war carried about by groups that fight using “hit and run” tactics Many terrorist groups use guerilla warfare

Chiapas An uprising is focused in the Mexican state of Chiapas It is a resource-rich state in southern Mexico: Produces over half of Mexico’s hydroelectric power 2nd largest petroleum producing state Largest coffee exporting state So what’s the big deal there?...

Chiapas has the worst poverty rates in Mexico: What’s the Big Deal? Chiapas has the worst poverty rates in Mexico: Three-fourths of its people are malnourished; half live in dwellings with dirt floors 19% of the population has no income 39% earn less than minimum wage ($3/day) Chiapas is a huge contributor to the global economy (oil, coffee, hydroelectricity) but getting little in return Huge division between rich & poor in the state

NAFTA & the Zapatistas… 1994—North American Free Trade Agreement: allowed free trade between US, Canada, & Mexico. No tariffs. Some people in Mexico did not like this plan: Thought that NAFTA would allow cheap farm imports to come into Mexico from the US Farmers in Mexico would not be able to compete with the cheaper food imports

NAFTA & the Zapatistas… On the day NAFTA took effect in 1994, the Zapatistas took over 7 towns in the state of Chiapas Mexican army was sent to remove the Zapatistas Fighting lasted for several weeks; a cease-fire eventually ended the fighting Zapatistas did not go away…

Armed Takeover in Chiapas 01/01/94 Modern Day Robin Hood?

Zapatistas’ Concerns Agreements between the Zapatistas & the government have not solved the problems of the poor They argue that the indigenous people of Mexico need more help to improve healthcare, housing, education, and unemployment

Latest Developments Seven years after the 1st revolt, on March 11, 2001, the Zapatistas marched to Mexico City and addressed Congress Encouraged the passage of an Indigenous Rights Bill Unfortunately, the bill was unsuccessful due to Congress radically changing it and denying indigenous people certain rights

Latest Developments January 2003: Zapatistas marched armed with machetes denouncing free trade policies (NAFTA) This rebel military has detained several foreigners in an effort to discourage foreign investors

Some say they are Terrorists? One who uses violence, (especially bombing, kidnapping, and assassination) to intimidate others for political purposes

Others Say Revolutionary? Causing, supporting, or advocating revolution Seeking change usually in government