THE HISTORICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL SETTING OF ZAPATISMO (FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF THE PROTAGONISTS)

Abstract

In  the  internal history of Zapatismo the most remarkable  feature  is  the  symbiotic process which occurs between the Zapatista guerrillas in the mountains of Chiapas and the indigenous people in the communities.  The former give military  instruction to the latter, while  slowly  adopting  their  values  and  ideology. In the end, both  form  a  new  military organization, the Zapatista  Army  of National  Liberation.  This  army  is unique  compared with other military  organizations,  as it acts only defensively  to protect indigenous  rights and  it is not an independence  movement, autonomous  in its functioning,  legitimate  and legal, with a high representation  of women (who especially  single out this organization), made up of social support bases and a trained and disciplined militia, strongly supported by civil society, having a radical leftist ideology, which remains in constant rebellion and resistance to pressures from the authorities,  the Mexican army and paramilitaries.