Mexico: Low intensity civil war
One year ago, the Zapatista revolt opened an unprecedented crisis for the sclerotic 'Institutional
Revolutionary Party (PRI) which has ruled Mexico since 1929.
The state of war did not disappear after the 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
August elections, and the creation of a climate of fear by the PRI and the state, resulted in yet another
PRI president, Ernesto Zedillo, and yet another illegitimate and unpopular governor of Chiapas
State, Eduardo Robelo.
Unfortunately, the situation faced by the Zapatistas and their Mexican and international supporters is increasingly complicated. The fraudulent elections have sown disillusion and defeatism among democrats. The pathetic behavior of those leaders who now announce their willingness to join government-dominated structures have paralyzed the mass democratic movement. And only this movement can produce a solution which will avoid a military 'solution' of the situation in
Chiapas.
The mass movement is not dead, far from it. But
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International Viewpoint #263 February 1995 in the continued absence of a decisive initiative from within 'civil society,' the Zapatistas have very little room to maneuver. As we go to press, they face the war machine of the Mexican state 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.
These are the elite troops responsible for the virtual genocide against
Guatemalan Indians in the 1980s.
What will happen now? The economic crisis which exploded in
December has changed a whole set of social factors. The legitimacy of the
Zedillo regime has been challenged, at home and abroad. Zedillo blames the fall of the peso on the Zapatistas, but it represents the beginning of the disintegration of his regime, of a society managed by just 40 billionaire families.
This is no time to stand still. International solidarity should meet the challenge of the situation. The broad sympathy provoked by the plebeian Zapatista revolt should be channeled into concrete activity. Ordinary Mexicans are organizing for democracy, liberty and justice.
Time to act!
Alfonso Moro
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Interview with Subcomandante Marcos