Let us introduce ourselves. We are the Zapatista National Liberation Army. For ten years we lived in these mountains, preparing to fight a war. In these mountains we built an army. Below, in the cities and plantations, we did not exist. Our lives were less than those of machines or animals. -Subcomandante Marcos, From the opening ceremony of the Encuentro, 1996

A Brief History of Chiapas By 1850, after three centuries of Spanish rule, every Native Indigenous person in the Chiapas area of Mexico had lost their land to White Ladinos The 1930s under the presidency of Cardenas, were known as the era of freedom for Indigenous peoples. Debt servitude was legally over and it became possible to petition for land

The Land and The People Chiapas is extremely high in resources like coffee, corn, cocoa, and timber A more recent but important resource is oil, which began production in the 1980s YET the state of Chiapas is the poorest state in Mexico

Social and Political Movements of the Indigenous Since Cardenas’ presidency, the Indigenous people of Mexico have continued to fight for land In 1970, the first Indigenous Congress was organized by the state government of Chiapas and Catholic Officials

The Organizations of the Indigenous Coordinadora Nacional “Plan de Ayala” (CNPA): Formed in 1979 Union de Uniones (Union of Unions): Formed in Combined 3 unions together representing 12,000 Indigenous families from 180 communities Organizacion Campesina Emiliano Zapata (OCEZ): Formed in Branch of CNPA -Fought to recuperate 3,000 hectares from ranchers

The Promise of More Land In 1985, the Ministry of Agrarian Reform Delegate’s Office in Chiapas, made a declaration that the peasant communities of the state would be given additional land No action ever followed this declaration, creating even more tension in the Chiapas area

The Beginning of Activism Between 1983 and 1988, the OCEZ and CIOAC became very active, initiating marches and demonstrations all over the Chiapas area and Mexico in general By 1987, the 1,760 hectares of land the Ministry of Agrarian Reform had promised had not been distributed. The Indigenous unions were forced to settle for less

Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional (EZLN) EZLN can be traced back to two earlier guerilla forces: Ejercito Insurgente Mexicano (EIM) and Fuerzas de Liberacion Nacional (FLN) EZLN began military training in jungles like the Lacandona The organization of EZLN was very secretive and covert. Many activists participated in both EZLN and other organizations like the CNPA. The main goals of EZLN: “work, land, housing, food, health care, education, independence, liberty, democracy, justice, and peace” for all people of Mexico

EZLN Structure The EZLNA is composed of 3 distinct groups –Insurgents –Militia –Bases of Support Women are recruited as well to ensure that all voices are heard in the struggle General Command: the highest political authority with 11 delegates from each region Subcomandante Marcos: leader of military wing. Also acts as spokesperson for EZLN.

Tensions Rise 1991 marked 14 years since the Indigenous groups of Chiapas had been promised land Then in 1992, an amendment was made to Article 27 of the Constitution calling for an end to land distribution On October 12th, 1992, more than 10,000 people from organizations including the OCEZ, CIOAC and EZLN marched in San Cristobal

January 1 st, 1994 After a year of militant training, planning and recruiting, the EZLN, composed of predominantly Indigenous men and women, took arms More than 2,000 guerrilla troops seized 4 towns in Chiapas before the state’s military responded In June of that year a peace plan was made between the government and EZLN

Aftermath In 1996 the San Andres Accord was signed by President Zedillo which would give new educational and cultural rights to the Indigenous peoples. This was never implemented. In 1997, in the village of Acteal, 45 civilians were murdered by government-backed paramilitants which resulted in the resignation of the Chiapas’ governor. Today Though there was talk in 2001 about Presidente Fox resubmitting the San Andres Accord, so far nothing has passed

Harvey, Neil. The Chiapas Rebellion: The Struggle for Land and and Democracy. Duke University Press: Stephen, Lynn. Zapata Lives! University of California Press: 2002