For the past 5 years, the Zapatista National Liberation Army has waged a "low intensity" guerrilla war in Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas, one of the most poverty stricken states in an already impoverished country. The rebellion began on January 1, 1994 to coincide with the signing of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), which they believe would further polarize rich from poor. Zapatista demands include 11 points; work, land, shelter, food, health, education, independence, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace for the indigenous Mayan population.

The Mayans in the area have endured...