The head of the Zapatista rebel group- commonly known as Subcomandante Marcos- emerged publicly over the weekend for the first time this year. According to Mexican daily La Jornada, Marcos received “a caravan” of foreign sympathizers in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. During his appearance, Marcos was reportedly flanked by pair of commanders and criticized the state of the political left in Mexico:“In Mexico, no. There is still talk of that expectation; that it’s possible if the left comes into power then they will not abandon being left.” Yet all the countries of the world notice that it’s the opposite, said Marcos. “Those on the left who are not necessarily radical leave their ideology once they get into power. The speed and the depth which they do so vary, but they ultimately transform themselves. That is the ‘stomach effect’ of power” either it digests you or turns you into shit. – [ed. personal translation]
Marcos also added his admiration of the Zapatistas who “chose to fight” instead of merely “winning or losing.”
Marcos is best known for leading the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) in a revolt on New Year’s Day 1994. Marcos and his cohorts received sympathy worldwide yet he has kept a lower profile in recent years, especially after the contentious 2006 presidential election.
Image- La Jornada (Subcomandante Marcos along with one of his commanders during a reported public appearance on Friday).
Sources (English)- The Latin Americanist, BBC News, Guardian UK
Sources (Spanish)- La Jornada, Union Radio, RCN
No comments:
Post a Comment