The Acteal Massacre

The Acteal Massacre occurred on December 22, 1997, in Acteal, a village in Chiapas, Mexico. It involved the killing of 45 Indigenous Tzotzil community members by a paramilitary group linked to local authorities. The victims were seeking refuge in a church during a period of escalating violence related to tensions between the Zapatista movement, advocating for Indigenous rights, and the government. This tragic event highlighted the severe human rights abuses and social injustices faced by Indigenous communities in Mexico, drawing national and international attention to the ongoing struggles for equality and peace in the region.