SUMMARY
Since the conquest of Mexico by Spain in the 16th century, indigenous people in Mexico have been marginalised. In 1994 a group of peasants declared war against the Government and after several attempts to solve the conflict, a peace accord was signed in 1996. However, the accord was never implemented and the rebels withdrew from negotiations. In 1996, yet another group fighting for a new constitution emerged. No negotiations were held and the conflict did not cause 25 deaths the following years.
IN DEPTH
Background to the resistance in southern Mexico
The Aztec empire, led by monarch Montezuma II, was brought down by a Spanish conquistador named Hernán Cortés between 1519 and 1521. Many indigenous people died in epidemics caused by their lack of immunity to diseases introduced by the newcomers. However, indigenous communities remained in southern and central Mexico and despite intermarriages with Mexicans of European origin, the indigenous communities retained a definite identity. The Mexican revolution at the end of 1910 was triggered by a combination of political resentment (mainly in the north) and economic desperation (mainly in the south). The revolution was led by Francisco I. Madero who was overthrown by the conservative general Victoriano Huerta. The peasants continued the revolt, and Pancho Villa and Emile Zapata became two key figures in the struggle against Huerta. Huerta was finally defeated by Venustiano Carranza, a rich landowner who had supported Madero. Around one million Mexicans died as a result of the revolution - either from violence, disease or hunger.
After the years of revolution, Mexican society changed; it modernised and developed economically. However, politics remained corrupt and became increasingly authoritarian. Towns and the middle class benefited most from the governments policies, increasing the gap between them and the poorer indigenous peasants. The marginalisation of indigenous people in the south of Mexico was particularly evident in the province of Chiapas. Moreover, the province did not benefit from the land reform, which was imposed in the 1930s. The federal government allowed Chiapanecan elites a certain degree of autonomy over local affairs in exchange for their loyalty to the ruling party and support for the president. In the 1980s several grass-root organisations protested against these conditions, but they were usually met with violent repression. In the 1990s, as a result of decades of marginalisation and repression, indigenous peasants decided to turn to armed struggle.
Armed conflict in Mexico
As a result of decades of marginalisation and repression, indigenous peasants decided to turn to armed struggle in the 1990s. On 1 January 1994 indigenous groups took control of four municipalities in the southern state of Chiapas. The rebels identified themselves as the EZLN (Ejército Zapatista de liberación nacional, Zapatista National Liberation Army) and they called for the reforms the historic rebel-leader Emile Zapata had fought and died for during the years of the Mexican revolution. EZLN detailed a series of demands for economic and social change in the region, culminating in a declaration of war against the government and a statement of intent to depose President Salinas. The insurgency coincided with Mexico entering NAFTA in 1994, and EZLN claimed that this was the latest in a series of exclusionary government initiatives adopted at the expense of the indigenous groups. After one week of heavy fighting in Chiapas, over 100 people had lost their lives. Negotiations were initiated in February, and fighting ceased. However, no political solution has ever been reached (for more information, see Negotiations).
On 28 June 1996, a Marxist rebel group named EPR (Ejército Popular Revolucionario, Popular Revolutionary Army) appeared at a political rally. The group stated that it was fighting for a new constitution and populist economic policies. It demanded the resignation of President Zedillo, a transition government, a new constitution and respect for human rights. They claimed to be acting in self-defence from the oppressive state and they had no connections to EZLN. During the second half of the year the group caused at least 25 battle-related deaths, being most active the months of June to September. The fighting did not cause 25 deaths the following years, although EPR continued to perform attacks during the 00s. No negotiations have been held between EPR and the Government.
Negotiations
Peace talks between EZLN (Ejército Zapatista de liberación nacional, Zapatista National Liberation Army) and the Mexican government were initiated on 21 February 1994. After two weeks the negotiators announced agreement on half of the issues including health, education, true and timely information, housing, and respect for culture, traditions, rights and the dignity of the Indian groups in Mexico. However, issues such as national democratic reforms and self-government for Mexicos indigenous peoples were not agreed on. There was a tentative accord on land reform, greater democracy and justice, and massive investment in poor Indian villages. The talks recessed with the Zapatistas returning to consult with their indigenous constituents before signing an agreement. On 12 June EZLN issued a communiqué saying that 98% of the Mayan supporters voted against the preliminary peace accord with the Government.
On 12 October 1994, EZLN unilaterally decided to break off the ongoing peace dialogue with the government, accusing the Mexican army of preparing for an imminent attack. Although EZLN and the government resumed peace talks in 1995, and managed to agree on topics of discussion, it was not until 16 February 1996 that a minimal accord on indigenous rights and culture was signed by representatives of the EZLN and the government. The San Andrés Accords contained, among other things, recognition of indigenous people in the Constitution, increased cultural rights, and broadening of political representation. However, the accord was never implemented and EZLN decided to suspend further talks planned in September the same year.
The national elections in 2000 marked a high point of political transformation in Mexican history. It was the first time the ruling party, PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional, Institutional Revolutionary Party), had lost a national election. Vicente Fox Quezada of Pan (Partido Acción Nacional, National Action Party) won the presidency with 43% of the votes. It was the first change of regime in 70 years. Although the new government had a more open approach to the indigenous movement and had given promises of increased respect of human rights, the Zapatistas still considered it a "bad government," saying that the former dictatorship had been replaced by a new one. In March 2001 the Zapatistas led a peaceful demonstration for over 3 000 km from Chiapas to Mexico City demanding constitutional recognition for the 10 million indigenous Mexicans, the withdrawal of Mexican troops from Chiapas and the release of Zapatista prisoners. Marcos, the Zapatista leader, successfully managed to negotiate the dismantling of the seven garrisons in Chiapas and in April both houses of Congress approved legislation reforming six articles of the Constitution, recognising and guaranteeing indigenous political, legal, social and economical rights. However, issues such as communal property and voting rights remained unresolved. States with sizable indigenous population rejected the proposal and thus the debate on indigenous rights did not end.
