By Mike Leach
As the international gathering "against neo-liberalism and for humanity" called by the Zapatistas (EZLN) convenes in Chiapas, the primary issue of land distribution remains as the unresolved focal point of resistance to Mexico's increasingly neo-liberal Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) regime.
The pressure exerted upon the government by the EZLN and Mexican civil society is evidenced by the recent government purchase of 150,000 hectares of land in Chiapas. On March 19 the government announced the finiquito: the "final" distribution of these lands to some 58,000 Chiapas farmers.
President Zedillo emphasised that this deal was to be the last land distribution and that no more land would be given out in Chiapas. This redistribution represents less than 25% of poor campesinos' requirements for land.
Farmers who are given five hectares of land are forced to sign an agreement not to carry out further "illegal" land occupations. The government thus appears to be using the finiquito to divide the indigenous communities.
The People's Democratic Assembly of Chiapas, a coalition of campesinos and indigenous groups, estimates that more than 60 farmers and police have died in the past year during 260 land occupations. The ongoing police campaign of evictions has also resulted in 2000 arrests and the burning of 1150 homes. In April the EZLN staged a temporary walkout from the peace talks with the government as 30,000 campesinos blocked highways and occupied land to protest against the harassment of "illegal" small farmers.
The army is preventing farmers from planting their maize crops as the rainy season approaches, in an attempt to force a change of allegiance to the government. As in previous years, these actions will force many communities in the region to the brink of starvation.
Donations (US dollars) to help break the famine and send medicines to the region may be sent (registered mail), payable to: Rebeca Yoma, Avenida Universidad 2014, Edificio Costa Rica, Colonia Romero de Terreros, Coyoacan 04350, Mexico D.F., Mexico. Advise of donation by fax (525) 525-2545 or e-mail 74052.2670@compuserve.com.