Mexico: Low intensity civil war
One year ago, the Zapatista revolt opened an in the continued absence of a decisive initiative unprecedented crisis for the sclerotic 'Institutional from within 'civil society,' the Zapatistas have
Revolutionary Party (PRI) which has ruled Mexico very little room to maneuver. As we go to press, they face the war machine of the Mexican state
The state of war did not disappear after the virtually alone. Some 60,000 troops (half the
Mexican army), supported by
Argentinean 'advisors' encircle the
Zapatista strongholds. The
Guatemalan regime has deployed its
'Kaibiles' to seal off the frontier.
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International Viewpoint #263 February 1995
Since 1929. cease-fire of 12 January 1994. Nor did the silence imply that the PRI had decided to respond favorably to the popular demands for democracy, liberties and justice. The massive manipulation of the
These are the elite troops responsible August elections, and the creation for the virtual genocide against of a climate of fear by the PRI and Guatemalan Indians in the 1980s. the state, resulted in yet another What will happen now? The PRI president, Ernesto Zedillo, and economic crisis which exploded in yet another illegitimate and December has changed a whole set of unpopular governor of Chiapas social factors. The legitimacy of the State, Eduardo Robelo. Zedillo regime has been challenged, Unfortunately, the situation faced at home and abroad. Zedillo blames by the Zapatistas and their Mexican the fall of the peso on the Zapatistas, and international supporters is but it represents the beginning of the increasingly complicated. The fraudulent disintegration of his regime, of a elections have sown disillusion and defeatism society managed by just 40 billionaire families. among democrats. The pathetic behavior of those This is no time to stand still. International leaders who now announce their willingness to solidarity should meet the challenge of the join government-dominated structures have situation. The broad sympathy provoked by the paralyzed the mass democratic movement. And plebeian Zapatista revolt should be channeled into only this movement can produce a solution which concrete activity. Ordinary Mexicans are will avoid a military 'solution' of the situation in organizing for democracy, liberty and justice. Chiapas. The mass movement is not dead, far from it. But
Time to act!
Alfonso Moro
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