FEBRUARY ZAPATISTA/CHIAPAS NEWS SUMMARY

I. The EZLN, Nature and Counterinsurgency - Communiqué about the Opddic - During the first week in February, the EZLN issued a communiqué denouncing the counter-insurgency activities of the Organization for the Defense of Indigenous and Campesino Rights (Opddic) against Zapatista communities. Specifically, the Opddic, with characteristics of a paramilitary nature, has declared its intent to take away “recuperated” land from the Caracols of Morelia and La Garrucha and has already engaged in some activities, both “legal” and illegal, in furtherance of its plan. Additionally, the EZLN comunicado denounced that the Opddic was cutting down trees in the forests in order to profit from their sale and stated its intent to oppose such activity and to defend the forests.

II. EZLN and the Cucapá Camp - The Zapatistas issued a communiqué around mid-February announcing the scheduled opening of the Camp on February 26 and the arrival of its commanders at the camp in El Mayor, Baja California (near Mexicali) in mid-March. The primary purpose of this camp is to accompany the Cucapá and Quilihua peoples during fishing season. The comunicado also announced that the EZLN intends to open a national and international camp in Chiapas to protect a forest preserve near San Cristóbal de las Casas. No date was set. Information in Spanish is available at: http://www.enlacezapatista.org.mx/comision_sexta/642
and in English at: http://www.narconews.com/issue45/article2569.html

III. Good Government Juntas Denounce the Opddic - In Chiapas, the Zapatista Good Government Juntas (civilian regional governance structures) publicly denounced conflicts over land initiated by the Opddic, as well as the kidnapping of 3 civilian Zapatistas and threats of violence by that organization. The Mexican daily newspaper La Jornada has carried daily exposés of this dangerous organization written by Hermann Bellinghausen. The Center of Political Analysis y Social y Economic Research (CAPISE) has issued a current report to the public on the Opddic’s activities. The Opddic exists throughout the Northern part of the Jungle region, including the Chiapas Support Committee’s sister municipality (county), San Manuel. IV. Human Rights in Mexico - Mexico’s abominable human rights record was in the spotlight this month. Amnesty International delivered a grim assessment of the human rights situation in Mexico. The CCIODH, an international group of human rights observers expressed the same concerns: arbitrary detentions, assasinations, sexual abuse, torure and disappearances were all documented. The clear political purpose of such abuse is to deter progressive social movements.

IV. Peace Corps and Karen Hughes Enter Chiapas - 5 members of the United States Peace Corps began working at Ecosur, a scientific research center in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas this month. Some of the other researchers at the public institution expressed their disagreement and concern due to allegations that Peace Corps members had been involved in counterinsurgency activity in other places. (La Jornada 02/13/07). U.S. Undersecretary of State for “Public Diplomacy,” Karen Hughes, was also in Chiapas this month meeting with organizations that received U.S. Funding. She was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador in Mexico, Tony Garza.

Compiled by the Chiapas Support Committee