The Zapatistas (named after the Mexican revolutionary Emilio Zapata) were founded in 1994 in Chiapas Mexico when the NAFTA ( North American Free Trade Agreement) began. This agreement would be created under the guise of opening trade routes for money, trade, and goods to flow through the US, Canada, and Mexico. But really this a bunch of bs decided between people in power in North American governments. For too long in Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries in Central or South America Indigenous, peoples have been disrespected, kicked off their land, exploited and murdered. Not only that, but their political autonomy has been disrupted and sabotaged by outside (mainly US corporations) seeking to get profit. So, the Ejercito Zapatista de Liberación Nacional banded together to fight the corrupt in the Mexican government and those who it employs. They wore masks to hide their identity and defended their land in the southern region of Chiapas Mexico. I heard many accounts from college students who went to assist them by getting their narrative out. In the beginning it was only small news sources, now even bigger companies like Vice have gone to get "content". Commandante Marcos, & Ramona (commanders in the people's army) are gone so what is happening now? They've traveled to Mexico City to rally for their rights. There have been members killed.... If you know, leave an update in the comments. Respect to Ezln for their righteous fight for land and dignity. They are one of many indigenous peoples all over the world fighting back.
Sources: Guerilla News Network, Personal accounts, IndyMedia, Kpfa,
