Zapatista Movement

Zapatista Movement refers to the social and political movement led by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), which emerged in Chiapas, Mexico, in 1994. The movement began as an indigenous uprising against economic marginalization, political exclusion, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which they viewed as harmful to local autonomy and livelihoods. The Zapatistas advocate for indigenous rights, land reform, and participatory democracy, emphasizing resistance against neoliberal economic policies and state oppression. Their movement combines indigenous cultural identity with anti-globalization and anti-capitalist ideologies, making it a significant example of grassroots resistance in Latin America. Sociologically, the Zapatista Movement is studied for its role in mobilizing marginalized communities, using digital media for global solidarity, and challenging dominant power structures through autonomous governance and social justice practices.