EZLN Communique September 27, 2021
The news out of Chiapas lately is that of heightened tension. Mountain communities like Chenalhó continue to combat cartel violence with their ad hoc militias, while National Guard troops wage their own assaults on what they see as extralegal vigilante squads.
These government actions against the indigenous groups allegedly have the blessing of Rutilio Escandón, the Governor of Chiapas, who is considered by most to be an opportunistic scoundrel. His history is similar to others in power, like Laura Fernandez Piña of Quintana Roo, which is to say that he changes political parties like underwear—different but always the same. This year Escandón follows the vogue of AMLO and is officially a member of the Morena Party, but his thuggish actions in Chiapas are inconsistent with what the President has been saying about indigenous autonomy. Then again, AMLO does not have to live in Chiapas.
Talk of civil war is once again in the air. The man famously known as Subcomandante Marcos, who has changed his name to Subcomandante Galeano, has published a broad-ranging indictment of the State Government, concluding with an admonition from the EZLN: “That is all. Next time there won’t be a communique. That is, there won’t be words, only actions.” This cannot be good.
On the 11th of September, two prominent Zapatista campañeros were kidnapped by uniformed soldiers, all while nightly gunfire from state forces was heard in the indigenous zones of Moises and Gandhi. The two men were released unharmed eight days later through the intervention of parish priests from San Cristóbal de las Casas, who have proven themselves able intermediaries since the Uprising of ’94.
Galeano’s charge is that Governor Escandón is behind these attacks and is acting without legitimate authority. He accuses Escandón of being AMLO’s man in name only, that the corruption and violence is real but hidden from view, and his publication is clearly meant to reach ears in Mexico City and beyond, much like the progressives in Quintana Roo, who appeal directly to the reformist in CDMX for relief.
“Its officials are stealing everything they can from the state treasury, perhaps preparing for a federal government collapse or betting on a new party coming into power,” says Galeano. “The misgovernment of Rutilio Escandón is doing everything possible to destabilize…Chiapas.”
The statement highlights a trail of perceived abuses, such as the continuing “repression” of student teachers, the protection of cartels, the funding of paramilitary groups in the southeastern hills, and even corruption and neglect of the Covid vaccination program in the rural communities. It is noted that the timing of the state-sponsored kidnappings coincides with with the departure of another EZLN foreign tour for European support. Galeano’s incendiary language here undoubtedly receives the support of the communities he represents, but his polemics border on unhinged:
“If what they want is to topple the federal government, or to cause problems in retaliation for the current federal criminal investigations against them, or to support one of the factions competing for power in 2024, then they should use the available legal channels and stop playing with the life, liberty, and property of the people of Chiapas. They should call for a vote to revoke the presidential mandate and stop playing with fire because they’re going to get burned.” Ouch.
Subcomandante Galeano’s calls to end the “death cult” may succeed in raising alarm, but the actual demands of the EZLN are left to the imagination. No one forgets that the cease-fire of 1994 allowed the Zapatistas to keep all their weapons. The latest words from the Subcomandante formerly known as Marcos are unmistakably fighting words. The man sounds like a man at the end of his rope. Given our recent history with nooses, let us hope this not turn into prophesy.