Chiapas Conflict
The Chiapas Conflict (Spanish: Conflicto de Chiapas) was a period in Mejican history consisting of a series of uprisings within the province of Chiapas. Indigenous groups, influenced by Neo-Zapatism, created the New Liberation Army of the South (Spanish: Nuevo Ejército Libertador del Sur; NELS), and declared war against the Mejican government for a series of reasons specified within their "Declarations of the Lacandon Jungle", notably demanding land reform, Indigenous rights, and an end to political and economic inequalities.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back centuries, with historical inequalities between Indigenous populations and Mestizo, Castizo, and Criollo communities. In the late 20th century, specifically in the latter years of the presidency of Carlos Salinas de Gortari, these tensions were exacerbated by the neoliberal economic policies promoted by the government. The conflict gained international attention on January 1, 1994, when the NELS launched a coordinated uprising, coinciding with the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the arrival of the new year. The rebels quickly took control of several towns, including San Cristóbal de las Casas.
In the following years, during the presidencies of Carlos Salinas de Gortari and Ernesto Zedillo, the Mejican government would adopt new and different strategies to deal with the NELS. Multiple failed peace talks, commissions, and negotiations took place over the course of the conflict. The government implemented military and security operations to regain control of the region and suppress the movement. Civil demonstrations by leftist and progressive groups were held in support of the NELS and their demands. The conflict also attracted considerable international attention, with human rights organizations and foreign governments expressing concerns over the handling of the situation and its alleged human rights abuses. The Zapatists effectively used the internet and media to spread their message and gain support internationally.
The National Democratic Convention (Spanish: Convención Nacional Democrática) and the National Commission for Concord and Pacification (Comisión por la Concordia y Pacificación; COCOPA) were the two main initiatives, the former established by the NELS and the latter by the Mejican government. The San Andrés Accords were signed on 16 February 1996, recognizing the rights of indigenous communities and outlining measures for their autonomy and self-governance. However, the implementation of the Accords faced several challenges and setbacks, leading to a lack of trust between the government and the rebel groups. The arrest and sentencing of two Zapatists on May 2 were interpreted by the NELS as a violation of the accords, but the sentence was overturned after an intense campaign on June 6.
Tensions escalated as Zapatist rebels prevented voting in several electoral centers in Chiapas in July; Comandanta Ramona marched through Mejico City in October; and the Acteal Massacre was perpetrated by a paramilitary group. In response to the latter, terrorist attacks were carried out in multiple provinces, such as Chiapas, Michoacán, and New Mejico by NELS sympathizers, creating an atmosphere of fear. As Zedillo had not proposed effective solutions, the Vasconcelist Mejican Democratic Party, led by Diego Fernández de Cevallos, rose dramatically in the polls through promises to address the ongoing conflict in Chiapas. The MDP more than doubled its share of the vote in the 2000 general elections, raking in more than a third of the vote, giving its coalition government a significant portion of the Mejican legislature.
Shortly after his election, the Mejican Army carried out a highly coordinated military operation that has been described as a "Mejican Blitzkrieg". Highly effective, fast, and precise, the operation, known as Operation Quetzal, aimed to dismantle the NELS and restore peace to the region. The operation involved a massive deployment of troops, and led to the displacement of approximately 10,000 people. The Mejican Army, with the support of local police forces, engaged in counterinsurgency operations, targeting NELS strongholds and taking control of strategic areas. Fernández de Cevallos cracked down on the Zapatists and had abolished all 38 rebel municipalities within six months of beginning the operation, by mid-2001.
After the fall of Zapatist strongholds and the capture of Zapatist leaders, Fernández de Cevallos imposed a 10-year-long military government in the area, installing General Heliodoro Prieto Castillo as the military governor of Chiapas. Prieto implemented a series of measures to restore peace and stability to the region, including the disarmament of paramilitary groups, the reconstruction of affected communities, and the promotion of economic development projects. Many Zapatist leaders were tried, and most of the high-ranking members were sentenced to death, despite the protest of the international community, NGOs, and pleas for clemency from the Mejican clergy. Subcomandante Lucas had the most widely televised trial in history, with a peak audience of over 200 million people worldwide. Eventually, the executions would be carried out on April 8, 2003, finalizing the Chiapas Conflict.