Platform : Chiapas: ‘No One’s Scared Off Yet’

A revolt in the Mexican state of Chiapas has left scores dead. We ask some Los Angeles area residents if they feel the action will have any economic ramifications in Southern California.

ABRAHAM LOWENTHAL

Director, Center for International Studies, USC

The Chiapas uprising is unquestionably a major event, not to be brushed aside, but its significance for NAFTA and for California-Mexico relations should not be exaggerated or distorted. The guerrilla outbreak in Southern Mexico’s poorest state does not mean that the Mexican people are repudiating NAFTA, that Mexico’s current authorities have been cast aside or that another Mexican revolution is around the corner.

The true international importance of Chiapas is really similar to the significance of the Los Angeles violence of 1992 for U.S. foreign policy: a clear signal that economic deprivation, ethnic tensions and injustice are not being adequately addressed by local and national authorities. Our own troubles in 1992 were a wake-up call, making it obvious that government must focus more effectively on unemployment, health, security, equity and representation or risk undermining America’s international stature and authority. That is also the message of Chiapas.

JAVIER RODRIGUEZ

Activist, Committee in Solidarity With the Peoples of Mexico, Los Angeles

As you know, Los Angeles and California house the largest population of Mexicans outside Mexico City. We maintain a constant flow of communication with our friends, towns, neighbors and relatives. We send millions of dollars by way of checks, money orders and so forth to our home states. And we are in tune with the politics and issues taking place in Mexico.

The events in Chiapas are significant as most Mexicans interviewed, primarily by the Spanish-speaking media, have stated that the Mexican government has long forgotten the indigenous populations of Mexico and, in particular, this one. When you look at the economic and social statistics of Chiapas, you find that it is the poorest state in Mexico. It houses 36% of the illiterate in the country. The income per family of five is estimated at $26 per month. The Indians have a legendary reputation for suffering and also for rebelliousness.

It’s opening the eyes of people who thought that with the approval of NAFTA Mexico was going to enter the First World. It’s no accident that the Zapatista guerillas chose the same day NAFTA was implemented to denounce the government and speak of their plight--the lack of democracy, the fear of losing their culture and their identity.

FRANK DOMINGUEZ

President, Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Santa Ana

First of all, it’s an unfortunate thing that happened in Mexico. It impacts some of the U.S. families that are from that general area of Mexico. But it seems to me that it’s an isolated incident. President Salinas is concerned, I’m sure, with the equity of the land situation. But he’s also concerned for the perception of Mexico by the outside world. I think he will do all he can to resolve this matter swiftly.

We learn from every incident and land reform is an indicator sometimes of the problems we may have from economic recessions and hard times. This is a reflection, a symptom of some of that. But as Mexico begins to pick up economically, the issues will change. I don’t think it’s going to have a negative impact, probably next to zero, on business partnerships between the U.S. and Mexico.

TERESA SANCHEZ

Director, Mexico Information Project, Los Angeles

The U.S. Southwest, California and Mexico share a history, a transborder economy, society, culture and a growing population. Whatever happens in Mexico, politically, economically, socially, affects people in California.

The crisis in Chiapas shows something that’s very critical given the recent passage of NAFTA--that national policies in Mexico have political repercussions that will affect California. One of the things mentioned by the Zapatista forces was that they see NAFTA as a death sentence for indigenous people. I think there’s an indication that a lot of people here in the United States have been concerned that the terms of NAFTA are beneficial to large corporations but will be detrimental to the majority of people, particularly those on the lowest rung of the work force.

I think the lack of any public outcry or any statement by the Clinton Administration of concern for the human rights violations that have been taking place in Chiapas is quite alarming.

DONALD E. STEINMAN

Vice president, Braemer World Travel Inc., Woodland Hills

I think that the news is so new and the area really in the extreme south of Mexico that people are just going to take a mental note unless the unrest down there becomes more widespread. People aren’t even really talking about it.

At present, there aren’t any (travel) cancellations. No one’s scared off. This time of the year, though, right after the holidays, is a little bit slower. The crucial time becomes spring break and the Easter and Passover holidays. That’s when the peak travel period to Mexico will come. If this thing becomes prolonged, then that’s something different.