Zapatista National Liberation Army

Guerrilla movement in Mexico, led by the mysterious masked figure of Subcomandante Marcos. It has campaigned especially for the rights of indigenous Maya people in the southeast province of Chiapas since January 1994.

EZLN and government representatives signed a peace accord in February 1996, which recognized the right of Indians to adopt traditional forms of government within their communities, and to have adequate representation in the national parliament. The peace accord lapsed, but was renewed in March 1998, and the Mexican government promised a bill would be introduced to ensure indigenous rights. However, talks broke down by the end of the year. In December 2000, newly-elected President Vicente Fox sent a bill on indigenous rights to Congress and withdrew some soldiers from Chiapas.

Marcos agreed to restart peace talks in December 2000 on condition that the president order the evacuation of seven army bases, free all Zapatista prisoners held in federal jails since the 1994 uprising, and sign an Indian Bill of Rights. In February–March 2001, Marcos undertook a 15-day peaceful march across Mexico to Mexico City to raise support for the bill on Indian rights that President Fox had presented to Congress. Zapatista leaders addressed Congress, but following an impasse, retreated to the jungle after ten days.