The December 22, 1997 massacre took place in the context of the Mexican government’s counterinsurgency campaign in Chiapas following the Zapatista uprising of 1994, when a guerrilla army of thousands of Mayans descended on cities and towns in the state, demanding land, autonomy, and democracy. Las Abejas supports the Zapatistas’ vision and demands, but does not support armed struggle. However, that did not stop the pacifist group from becoming a target in the ongoing low-intensity conflict.
Justice for the massacre of unarmed villagers continues to be a central focus for Las Abejas, but the group also defends land rights and speaks out against government reforms, natural resource exploitation, and other threats to indigenous territories, forests, and organizations. Indigenous communities in Chiapas face the imposition of hydro-electric dams, mining, infrastructure, and other projects in their lands, and community leaders organizing against such projects in the state have been threatened, jailed, and killed.
As an organization rooted in religion and faith, Pope Francis’ support for peace, marginalized people, and the environment strongly resonates with Las Abejas members, most of whom are Catholic.
“The pope brings an important message,” said Pérez Vásquez, adding that the pontiff defends Mother Earth. During the pope’s recent five-day visit to Mexico, Las Abejas participated in a gathering with indigenous and community groups from throughout Latin America to discuss that message. “It’s not just here that we’re struggling to defend territory, but in other countries too,” said Pérez Vásquez.
