Lacandon Selva Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico—As all eyes remain on the messy aftermath of the Iraq war and the strategic oil resources of the Persian Gulf, war threatens to return again to the United States’ own “backyard”—southern Mexico and Central America. Here, as in the Gulf, struggles for control of petroleum and other key resources are at stake. In this past… return to article
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Reader Comments (6)Page 1 of 1 pageseven after all these silent years of the zapatas, the mexican embasies can expect major ‘problems’ if the mexican government tries and drive out the zapatistas. YA BASTA, NO PASARAN !!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by zen on Aug 21, 2003 at 3:55 PM It grows more apparent that support for Marcos and his movement is more popular elsewhere than in Mexico. It is important to note that the life conditions of the indians in Chipas have not improved with Marcos; that his idea of everything belongs to the community basically means that nothing belongs to no one; his request for public voting guarantees that everyone will vote the way he or the caciques want. Since not all of the customs practiced by the indians are good, example human sacrifice and lynching very popular lately, it would require that “a civilized white person” in this case decide which custom to allow. Finally he is, as are many others, very paternalistic and continue to defend the idea of the “Bon Sauvage” very popular in the 18-19th Century in Europe. Lastly during my recent travels among the Totonacas in Veracruz they had never heard of Marcos and then remembered that it was the nut with the mask. Let’s not forget that in a vote most Mexicans said that they wanted him to form a political party. Obviously this would take away most of his appeal among first world countries that love to defend folkloric people as long as they live somewhere else. Most Mexicans would agree that there are many things that have to be corrected and changed but we cannot have a country with two constitutions and two different status.
Posted by Maricarmen Ferrant on Aug 21, 2003 at 5:14 PM The native people in Mexico’s Chiapas region have been the last few to hold out against corporate domination. Homage to the Chiapas people indeed.
Posted by Ryokan on Aug 21, 2003 at 6:06 PM Who said that the Maya civilization died a long time ago? For the longest time the Mayas fought the spanish conquista,with courage and determination. Now they have to fight a government bought by big corporations mascarading as “protectors” of the natives, and the rights to their natural heritage.
Posted by pablo on Aug 25, 2003 at 12:18 PM this sotroy will be worth the few minutes it takes to read. xoxo,mom
Posted by Ian on Aug 27, 2003 at 6:59 PM I came across this article, seems interesting and similar to what you were talking about on Monday.
-Christian Avard
Posted by Ralph Meima on Sep 10, 2003 at 9:07 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
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