The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) yesterday restated the autonomy of their communities and reaffirmed their willingness to continue resistance against the Mexican authorities, on the 20th anniversary of their armed uprising.
“Now our people have their autonomous Government, is the will of the people how they choose their representatives”, expressed this morning Commander Hortensia in a public statement, during the celebrations for the anniversary, started from yesterday.
“20 years ago we dropped into the garbage all the political parties and now the people are who decides and discuss who should be their authority and who is to direct them according to their own autonomous laws”, said one of the leaders of the movement that launched its armed struggle in 1994, in the State of Chiapas.
She recalled that at that time the indigenous communities in their area of influence did not have any services for health and education.
However, she said, communities have learned to organize via the “good government” councils, created unilaterally in 2003 in the municipalities under Zapatista influence to give autonomy to the communities.
“Now we are trying to improve the system of health, education and Government, based on democracy, freedom and justice”, she added.
The EZLN members celebrated with music and dance the two decades of their uprising in five territories known as “snails”, while foreign and national guests could participate in celebrations, access was more difficult for the media.
Through a statement released days earlier, the Zapatistas had called on all the solidarity organisations and groups wishing to join the commemoration, with the exception of the press, because, they said, do not reflect life in the State of Chiapas nor harassment against communities.
On January 1, 1994, the EZLN, which had been formed in the underground 10 years before, proclaimed the Declaration of the Lacandon Jungle, which ran their demands, mainly justice, freedom and in favour of indigenous peoples, in addition to declaring war on the Government and the Mexican army.
After fighting which lasted 12 days, a ceasefire came into place with which began a process of dialogue on the demands of the guerrillas, including the right to land, housing, education, health and employment.
The Zapatistas and the Mexican administration signed the San Andres Accords in 1996, but members of the EZLN have reported non-compliance by the Executive and are still demanding a constitutional amendment that guarantees their autonomy. (PL)