Mexico: Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) marks its 22nd anniversary
The fight’s not over, says the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN), which celebrated its 22nd anniversary yesterday with events in Oventic, Chiapas.
In a statement, the revolutionary organization said its indigenous communities have neither the new digital televisions given away by the federal government, nor late-model vehicles and concrete homes.
But their residents have a better quality of life than those “who have sold themselves” to the different political parties.
It was on January 1, 1994 that the ELZN, under the leadership of Subcommander Marcos, took up arms in its war “against the Mexican state.” Armed rebels seized several towns and cities in Chiapas.
The Mexican Army countered with an attack the following day and violence continued until a ceasefire was negotiated on January 12.
The ELZN has adopted a more peaceful approach since, but remains armed. And one of its leaders said yesterday they won’t give up their arms: “they’ll be with us till the end.”