Concept in Definition ABC

The history of the 20th century in Latin America could not be told without taking into account the intervention of guerrilla groups. In Argentina the Montoneros stood out, in Colombia the FARC, in El Salvador the Farabundo Martí Front, in Nicaragua the Sandinista Front and in Mexico the EZLN, an acronym that stands for the Zapatista Liberation Army National.

The members of this revolutionary group are known as Zapatistas and Subcomandante Marcos has been their historical leader since its founding.

Historical origin, evolution and ideology

The first news that appeared about the EZLN came in early 1994. The first act was a declaration of war against the government of the nation and the first action was the occupation of several localities in Chiapas.

Unlike other guerrilla groups, they soon abandoned their weapons and confrontations with the army and focused on peaceful social struggle. In this sense, it could be said that the ideals of Zapatismo are revolutionary, but terrorist actions are not contemplated.

The ideology Zapatista has several ingredients. On the one hand, it is fighting in favor of indigenous communities that have historically longed for comprehensive agrarian reform. At the same time, it is a Marxist-Leninist organization, but with some anarchist approaches.

Being a movement of national liberation, the Zapatistas are inspired by the legendary figure of Emiliano Zapata, one of the leaders of the Revolution Mexican from 1910. Like other guerrillas, the EZLN has an anti-capitalist and anti-colonial component, since its members blame the United States for the historical problems of the countries that make up Latin America.

The members of the EZLN generated a close bond with the indigenous communities. The communities supplied food to the guerrillas and in return the guerrillas offered training politics to the indigenous.

A charismatic and enigmatic leader

In most guerrillas or revolutionary groups there is an individual who becomes the visible head of the movement. Subcomandante Marcos, whose real name is Rafael Sebastián Guillén Vicente, is the EZLN's key man.

His true face is practically hidden by a ski mask. Very little is known about his personal life. He was the fourth of eight children and was born in the border city of Tampico in 1957. Study philosophy At UNAM, he was a university professor and has literary hobbies. His public appearances have been very rare and in recent years he has withdrawn from the front line of the Zapatista movement.