1. The Zapatista Movement
ANTH 221: Peoples and Cultures of Mexico
Kimberly Martin, Ph.D.

2. The Zapatistas Then and Now
Zapatistas: Chronico de una Rebelion
Zapatistas 20 Years Later

3. Liberation Theology Emerged from Latin American Catholicism
Interprets scripture through the perspective of the poor, of those who have been historically oppressed
Says that the followers of Jesus should work toward a just society by bringing about social and political change through social action even they must use force.

4. Examples of Biblical Support for Liberation Theology
Malachi 3:5
“I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against those who defraud laborers or their wages, who oppress widows, and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice…”
Luke 1:52-53
Mary Says:
“He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble
He has filled the hungry with good things
but he has sent the rich away empty”

5. EZLN Ejercito Zapatista Liberation National
Formed in late 1983 by
Non indigenous members of the Fuerzas de Liberation National
Indigenous inhabitants of the Selva Lacandon in eastern Chiapas
Members of other former rebel groups
Grew over time with the addition of indigenous and peasant populations
Encouraged by Liberation Theology and members of the Catholic Church (El Obispo Samuel Ruiz)

6. NAFTA and the EZLN Ecological problems in the region
Lack of available productive land,
The drying up of nonagricultural sources of income,
NAFTA cancelled Article 27 of Mexico's constitution, the cornerstone of Emiliano Zapata’s revolution of 1910–1919.
Under Article 27, Native communal landholdings were protected from sale or privatization and was incompatible with NAFTA.
With the removal of Article 27, lands could be privatized and sold; indigenous people feared
the loss of their remaining lands,
cheap imports from the US.

7. EZLN Attack on Cities in Chiapas
The EZLN declared war on the Mexican government on January 1, 1994, the day NAFTA came into force
EZLN invaded the cities/towns of San Cristobal de las Casas, Altamirano, Las Margaritas, Ocosingo, and Chanal in the State of Chiapas.
attacked civic centers such as city halls.
barricaded themselves in the buildings
painted EZLN sayings on walls
destroyed state records
announced their assault on the government of Mexico
Announced the First Declaration and Revolutionary Laws from the Lacandon Jungle.

8. First Declaration from the Lacandon Jungle
We, the men and women of the EZLN, full and free are conscious that the war that we have declared is a last resort, but also a just one. The dictators have been applying an undeclared genocidal war against our people for many years. Therefore we ask for your participation in and support of this plan that struggles for work, land housing, food, healthcare, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace. We declare that we will not stop fighting until the basic demands of our people have been met by forming a government of our country that is free and democratic.
Sub-comandante Marcos, January 1, 1994

9. EZLN Demands
The EZLN
Opted for armed struggle due to the lack of results achieved through peaceful means of protest through as sit-ins and marches
Goal was to instigate a revolution against the rise of neoliberalism throughout Mexico,
Rebelled to protest the signing of NAFTA, which the EZLN believed would increase the gap between rich and poor people in Mexico.
Called for greater democratization of the Mexican government
Called for the land reforms that were mandated by the 1917 Constitution of Mexico that were being ignored and/or changed by the government.
Did not demand independence from Mexico, but rather autonomy in the forms of land access and use of natural resources normally extracted from Chiapas by Mexico Imaginario

10. We call for the formation of a political force that does not aim to take power, a force that is not a political party….A political force that can organize the demands and proposals of the citizens so that those who govern, govern by obeying. —EZLN, Fourth Declaration of the Lacandon Forest, Chiapas, January 1996

11. San Andres Accords
An agreement between the Mexican government and the Zapatistas was signed February 16, 1996.
The Accord was
Basic respect and recognition for the diversity of the indigenous population of Chiapas
The preservation of the natural resources within the lands occupied by the indigenous population
More participation by individuals within indigenous communities in the decisions and control of public expenditures
More participation of indigenous individuals within their communities in deciding their own development plans, including control over their own political and judicial policies
The autonomy of indigenous communities and their right to participate in state affairs
President Zedillo and the PRI ignored the agreements and increased military presence in Chiapas with the political support of PRD and PAN.

12. Zapatista Caracols Settlements that form village-like communities
Governing
Economic production
Schools
Stores
Totally run by the Zapatista people
Will not accept government funds
They do not pay taxes to the state or federal governments
Caracoles are bounded and guarded
You cannot enter a caracol without the approval of a council of individuals from that settlement.