Contents

1. Introduction
   
2. Visas and Travel by Foreigners in Mexico
   
3. Background
   
4. Eyewitness Reports
   
5. Afterword
   

Background

Chiapas is the southern-most state of Mexico, bordering Guatemala to the south and east, and the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz and Tabasco to the west and north. The delegation visited communities visited located in the eastern and southern parts of Chiapas: the Altos (highlands), the Selva (jungle), and the border area.

Chiapas is widely considered the poorest state in Mexico. Its 3.25 million inhabitants include approximately 800,000 Indians, most of whom are Mayan descendants from four principal groups: Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Tojolabal and Chol.

Eight of ten indigenous families do not have electricity and 92% do not have running water. The rate of illiteracy in Chiapas is three times the national level for children age fifteen. Most indigenous families are subsistence farmers. The principal crops are corn and beans, with coffee the major cash crop.

On January 1, 1994, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) occupied several dozen major towns throughout the state of Chiapas. Fighting between the EZLN and the Mexican army lasted, in most cases, less than three days, after which a series of discussions ensued, leading toward negotiations between the government and the EZLN.

In February of 1995, the army invaded Chiapas, setting up more than 60 military encampments throughout the state. Today, more than half of the national army is stationed in Chiapas--over 70,000 troops--and the ratio of civilians to troops in some parts of the countryside is as low as eight to one.

In mid-1995, the Mexican government passed the "Law for Peace in Chiapas," recognizing the EZLN as a "non-conformist group" and acknowledging the legitimacy of the uprising. That law, which is still in force today, suspended all penal procedures and military operations against the EZLN, and mandated confidence-building measures to advance the peace process. This established the conditions for serious peace talks, which began in the summer of 1995 at San Andrés Larrainzar.

In February of 1996 the government and EZLN signed agreements on indigenous culture and autonomy, the first in a proposed series of six steps towards a comprehensive peace settlement. However, while negotiating, the Zedillo administration pursued a parallel strategy of civilian-targeted warfare (also known as low intensity warfare) to weaken the EZLN's negotiating position. The EZLN responded by insisting that the government implement the signed accords as had been previously arranged prior to negotiations.

Although the administration signed the accords, Zedillo refused to implement them through the necessary constitutional reforms. The peace process remains stalled, with the government calling for re-negotiation and the EZLN calling for implementation of the already signed accords.

Currently, civilian-targeted warfare appears to be the principal strategy of the Zedillo administration. This has been especially apparent since December 22, 1997, when paramilitaries working with police and PRI officials massacred 45 Indians in the town of Acteal. Today there are at least 12 identifiable paramilitary organizations active in Chiapas. Their acitivities and the actions of the army have created 19,000 internally displaced indigenous refugees. Observations Each sub-delegation included at least one Mexican national and at least two fluent Spanish speakers. Each group prepared a report of their visits, from which the following excerpts have been extracted and collated into nine recurring themes. All of the reports are based on eyewitness testimony from members of the delegation or testimony taken from members of the communities. All quotations cited below (indicated in italics) are from indigenous people who, for reasons of personal security, declined to be identified. Names have been changed to protect identities.

The following themes were identified:

1. The Mexican army is waging civilian-targeted warfare directed against civilian indigenous communities.

2. The Mexican army has assumed roles that are reserved under Mexican law for immigration officials.

3. Local PRI authorities and paramilitaries work closely with military forces to terrorize communities that identify themselves as Zapatista sympathizers.

4. US-supplied military equipment is used extensively by the Mexican military for counter-insurgency.

5. Widespread fear pervades indigenous communities, resulting in severe psychological problems.

6. Most indigenous communities lack confidence in the government.

7. Malnutrition and accompanying health problems are widespread, and it is believed that the current drought will result in significant food shortages in the coming months.

8. Education is a priority among indigenous families, especially for young people. There are more educational opportunities for youth in communities that support the ruling PRI party.

9. The Mexican government rewards indigenous supporters of the ruling PRI party with food, supplies, schools, etc., and punishes others by withholding these supplies, thereby encouraging divisions in many communities.