Zapatista History

In 1994 Mexico 's leaders entered into trade agreements with foreign interests (NAFTA) that at US insistence, made changes to their constitution that effectively ended Indian communal land right, making it possible for Foreign corporations to take Indian land and resources. The Maya rose up in rebellion to defend their land and their culture. This courageous act of resistance against a system that was sucking the life out of an already beleaguered population brought the wrath of the Mexican government on any community in Chiapas suspected of supporting the Zapatista rebels (EZLN). When President Zedillo tried to solve the "Chiapas problem" in February 1995 by launching a military attack, domestic and international criticism forced him to begin the pretense of negotiations. In February 1996 the San Andres Accords were agreed to and signed by President Zedillo. This agreement acknowledged the constitutional rights of the indigenous people, and in particular, their right to self-determination and autonomy. This agreement represented an opportunity for peace, justice and true democracy for all of the indigenous people of Mexico. Sadly, President Zedillo refused to implement this agreement.
The uprising of the Maya in Chiapas has some but not all the elements for revolution. The pattern of neglect of the poor, significant class differences where the rich hold all the power and the poor are exploited, and the lack of a significant middle class provide fertile ground for revolution. These problems in Mexico have existed for many years. Like Russia where the revolution brought about a one-party dictatorship Mexico 's revolution of 1910 failed to bring about the changes dreamed of by the revolutionaries. Economic conditions for the indigenous population throughout the twentieth century improved negligibly and eventually it became clear to many that the government was involved in a systematic annihilation of the Indian population.
At first thought, it would seem

Bibliography: A Brief History of the Zapatistas http://www.utexas.edu/students/nave/zaps.html Daniels, Anthony Zapped Out." National Review, 04/30/2001, Vol. 53 Issue 8, p27, 2p Giordano, Al, "Zapatistas on the March." Nation, 04/09/2001, Vol. 272 Issue 14, p6, 3p MCCAUGHAN, MICHAEL, "Rights law extremely offensive, says Marcos" The Irish Times May 2, 2001 p. 11 "The political scene" Mexico Country Report, 04/01/2001, p12, 5p What is it that is different about the Zapatistas? http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/mexico/comment/andrew_diff_feb01.html