January 1st marked the 13th anniversary of the Zapatista’s uprising. While the Zapatistas had been organizing for years, their “coming-out” moment was timed to coincide with the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA is a trade agreement between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. The indigenous communities of Mexico are negatively affected by NAFTA because the agreement places emphasis on imported products over the need/desire for subsistence living. The effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) have sparked campesinos to organize against the importation of genetically modified corn from the United States. Laura Carlsen argues, “The contamination of native varieties with genetically modified imported maize could have major consequences for Mexican campesinos (farmers), for local biodiversity and for the world’s genetic reserves” (2004). This has translated into a variety of dynamic organizations and indigenous campaigns that focus on combating the effects of NAFTA and the preservation of land rights, biodiversity, and culture. The Mexican government agreed to grow less corn, accept the importation of U.S. corn (which is mostly GM), and in return indigenous farmers were promised jobs in factories that would be built throughout the country. In reality, not enough jobs were made to sustain the farmers that their source of income. Most of the factories were built and remain at the border. This issue relates to the problem of immigration and separation of families, not to mention the loss of biodiversity. Oaxaca is the birthplace of corn, and this biodiversity is now threatened by the cross pollination of GM corn with native corn.
Zapatistas in the caracol in Oventic, Chiapas, are ending today a 4 day “Intergalactic Encuentro” with campaner@s from around the world. This global meeting of Zapatistas and supporters coincides with the Anniversary of the Zapatista uprising. It is probably safe to say that the participants discussed the issues of land rights, genetic modification, and water. When I attended the State Forum of the Pueblos of Oaxaca, one of the speakers discussed the “war on the campesinos through the privatization of water and the genetic modification of maiz.” Information about the “Intergalactic Encuentro” can be found at: http://www.zeztainternazional.org/. I am sad that I did not attend the encuentro, but I wish them the best of luck.
I visited a Zapatista caracol last April with the Schools for Chiapas. My visit focused on agriculture and the potential for growing the Neem seed, which could be very beneficial for the campesin@s. That trip was one of the best and enlightening experiences of my life. The beauty and intelligence of the people and the land is overwhelming. I recently uploaded some photos to my gallery from that trip.
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