Zapatistas

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 1914-1915Demanded

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• 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?...

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, 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 Chiapas01/01/94

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: Marched armed with machetes denouncing free trade policies (NAFTA)

• Have detained several foreigners in an effort to discourage foreign investors

Terrorist

• One who uses violence, (especially bombing, kidnapping, and assassination) to intimidate others for political purposes

Revolutionary

• Causing, supporting, or advocating revolution

• Seeking change usually in government

Zapitista School

• Zapitista School(Scroll down for video. It takes a few minutes to download)