Never Again a Mexico Without Us: Indigenous Peoples and the 21st Century

Brief historical background On January 1, 1994, an indigenous rebellion broke out in Chiapas, an impoverished, largely indigenous state in southern Mexico. The indigenous rebels, the EZLN (Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional, Zapatista National Liberation Army) demanded improved material conditions, regional autonomy, and recognition and respect for their cultural distinct­ iveness. Despite a cease fire and a signed peace accord, however, this most significant indigenous rebellion of 20th century Mexico remains unresolved, largely because of state resistance, more than 6 years after its outbreak.