The Zapatista National Liberation Army has gone on “red alert” in response to what it calls an “attitude of belligerence” on the part of Mexico’s government.
The rebel army, made up mostly of indigenous Mayan peasants from the impoverished Mexican state of Chiapas, launched an uprising on Jan. 1. Talks with the government on economic and political reforms have stalled.
The Zapatistas said in a recent press release that the government “is preparing a military solution and is increasing the number of its troops and supplies in the theatre of operations.” The Zapatistas ask Mexican soldiers to at least “respect the civilian population.”
“On all the territory our forces are ready to repel the assault and have received orders to defend our lands until the last survivor,” says the Zapatista press release.
