Zapatista Army of National Liberation (Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional - EZLN)

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) is a Mexican revolutionary movement founded in 1994, primarily composed of indigenous Mayan communities. It advocates for indigenous rights, social justice, and autonomous governance, opposing economic neoliberal policies and government neglect. The EZLN gained international attention with an armed uprising on January 1, 1994, the day NAFTA took effect, but has since emphasized political activism, community building, and dialogue. Operating primarily in Mexico's southern Chiapas region, they promote ideals of democracy, cultural preservation, and resistance to marginalization, blending military resistance with grassroots activism and seeking greater autonomy for indigenous peoples.