Background on the Zapatista Movement and Relevant Parties
The Zapatista movement, officially known as the EZLN (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional), is a leftist rebel group based in Chiapas, Mexico. Established in 1994, the Zapatistas sought autonomy and indigenous rights. The Bases de Apoyo Zapatistas (BAEZLN) are community support structures for the movement. Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Center (Frayba) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to defending human rights in Chiapas and the Mexican southeast.
The Incident: Violent Security Operation and Subsequent Disappearance
On April 24, around 15:30 local time, approximately 39 vehicles belonging to the National Guard, Mexican Army, Pakal Immediate Response Force, Ministerial Intelligence Investigation Agency, State Preventive Police, and the Governor’s Federal Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat, accompanied by armed civilians, stormed the community of San Pedro Cotzilnam in Aldama, Chiapas. These forces conducted warrantless searches of homes belonging to Zapatista support base members and forcibly detained two individuals: José Baldemar Sántiz Sántiz, 45, and Andrés Manuel Sántiz Gómez, 21.
Context of Heightened Security and Human Rights Concerns
This incident occurred amidst a climate of increased security forces’ scrutiny and harassment, documented by Frayba in recent events such as the Rebel and Revel Arte Encuentro. Frayba reported patrols and checkpoints along travel routes, interrogating and intimidating attendees of the gathering.
Impact and Response
Following the detentions, the convoy moved to San Andrés Larráinzar, and the whereabouts of the detained individuals remain unknown. This situation raises concerns about possible forced disappearance, as warned by Frayba.
Multiple communities and human rights organizations in Chiapas have reported serious human rights violations by security and military personnel since the start of 2025. These include violence against local populations, home invasions, and arbitrary detentions.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the Zapatistas? The Zapatistas, officially known as the EZLN, are a left-wing rebel group founded in 1994 advocating for indigenous rights and autonomy in Chiapas, Mexico.
- What are the Bases de Apoyo Zapatistas (BAEZLN)? BAEZLN are community support structures for the Zapatista movement, providing essential services and assistance to local communities.
- What is the Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Center (Frayba)? Frayba is a non-governmental organization dedicated to defending human rights in Chiapas and the Mexican southeast.
- What happened during the security operation in Aldama, Chiapas? Security forces conducted warrantless searches of homes belonging to Zapatista support base members, forcibly detaining two individuals: José Baldemar Sántiz Sántiz and Andrés Manuel Sántiz Gómez. Their whereabouts remain unknown, raising concerns about possible forced disappearance.
- What are the broader human rights concerns in Chiapas? Since early 2025, various communities and human rights organizations in Chiapas have reported numerous cases of violence against local populations, home invasions, and arbitrary detentions by security and military personnel.
