Zapatistas

The EZLN, namely The Zapatista National Liberation Army, in January 1994 started a revolt in Chiapas. A great many protestors criticized unequal distribution of wealth in Mexico. The government, in return, sent troops into cities captured by the Zapatistas. The rebels, after the first course of the events, began negotiations with the Mexican government. After peace negotiations the Mexican government agreed to make several political reforms. Subsequent events proved to be an example of a specific rebellion. After all, it carried the characteristics of a social movement.

It must be noted that the rebellion group was composed of Native Americans in Mexico. They started a military revolt against the Mexican government in 1994. Government army and the Zapatistas confronted each other and opened fire in many towns of Chiapas. However, Mexican army soon regained these towns. The government and the rebels agreed upon a cease-fire, afterwards. Meanwhile, more than 145 people had died. The rebellion and subsequent peace negotiations eventually led the Mexican government to agree to introduce several political reforms. The Zapatistas said that they rebelled against the poverty of Native Americans. The rebels also stood against the economic policies of the government, namely Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Most generally, the Zapatistas wanted land ownership to be more equally distributed by the government and they asked for that Native Americans should be granted equal access to the political system.

Thereafter, the Zapatistas formed the Zapatista National Liberation Front (FZLN) in 1996. This was a new civilian political organization. The FZLN was said to be a nonviolent organization. It was to be used to adhere the democracy. In that year a treaty was signed between the government and the Zapatistas. This treaty included several democratic reforms.