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 over 500 years of marginalization and intense racism from Ladinos (people of mixed Spanish and Mexican descent). With the arrival of the Spanish, the indigenous population was progressively pushed off their land to make way for cotton, coffee, and sugar plantations, forcing them to farm the rocky steep slopes of the highlands. Today, the highland farms can no longer support the population. The Zapatista movement started, in part, to retake farm land owned by the wealthy as well as to demand greater rights and democracy.

For their part, the Mexican government is waging their "low intensity" war on two fronts. They have installed 40 military camps with over 25,000 troops next to Zapatista supported villages, and have established military blockades in 4 municipalities in the Lacandon jungle. They are also attempting to weaken the Zapatista stronghold by providing "social service" work and "aid to the civilian population". The troops have planted crops, provide transportation, and are building roads in an effort to win the support of the indigenous population.