As time passed by and the zapatista "guerrilla" became a world known phenomenon, the zapatista leaders realized that the fight against economic imperialism and free market system was out of date. So the zapatista movement adopted a new phillosophy, they would fight for the recognition of the indigenous people's ancient rights and traditions.
Marcos, whose official title is "subcomandante", in reality he is the supreme commander of the guerrillas is extremely skilled at working with journalists and correspondents. He has made war in newspapers, television and the Internet. He has a very large army, an army of intellectuals, journalists and politicians whom back and justify every word that comes out of his mask.
The zapatista movement claimed to represent every indigenous in the country, no election was held, no one voted for Marcos and there is no law that gives him the right to represent that people. Yet, the federal government under Vicente Fox asks him to come to Mexico City to negotiate peace. Fox has moved the army from some posts at the request of Marcos.
The zapatistas demand that the federal government accepts the San Andres treaties, a document signed in 1996 by the guerrillas and the federal government. In these treaties the federal government promises to respect the "uses and costumes" of the indigenous people," which include the right of men over their women, the election of authorities without holding elections and some other antidemocratic atrocities.
Marcos has changed his demands over the years, he began fighting for socialism and then moved to the more politically correct defense of Indians. He has asked for democracy and yet he has destroyed polling places in his domains. He demands for the federal government to comply with a treaty and he ignored a former treaty signed in 1994. He called for a referendum designed to be favorable to him and ignored a national election in which he was asked to give up weapons. He is asking for peace and at the same time, he is blocking it.
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