Aerial Attacks on Zapatista Positions in Mexico's Chiapas State

Strategic Insights -

Government forces launched an aerial assault on Zapatista rebel positions in southern Mexico's Chiapas state on Wednesday, following a week of constant rebel attacks on a military base. The bombing occurred around the towns of Ocotal, El Corralito, and San Antonio de los Baños, resulting in no immediate casualty reports. The conflict escalated after the Zapatista National Liberation Army began its armed uprising on January 1, with rebels clashing with government troops.

Key Takeaways:

  • The aerial attacks were a response to constant rebel attacks on the military base at Rancho Nuevo, 6 miles southeast of San Cristobal.
  • The government forces used planes and helicopters in the bombing attacks, targeting Zapatista positions around the towns of Ocotal, El Corralito, and San Antonio de los Baños.
  • A group of reporters traveling in a van south of San Cristobal were caught in the fire from the aircraft and had to take shelter under their vehicle.
  • The rebels had pulled out of the towns and returned to the mountainous jungle areas of Chiapas by Wednesday, with the government authorities prepared to negotiate if they ceased hostilities.
  • Government spokesman Eloy Cantu Segobia offered conditional negotiations with the rebels, demanding they cease all hostilities, hand in weapons and explosives, release all hostages, and identify their spokesmen.
  • There were conflicting reports of casualties, including one account that rebels had killed five civilians traveling in a van in the conflict zone.

Statistics:

  • 6 miles (10 km): the distance from San Cristobal to the military base at Rancho Nuevo
  • 1: the day the Zapatista National Liberation Army began its armed uprising
  • 5: the number of civilians reportedly killed by the rebels while traveling in a van in the conflict zone
  • Unknown: the number of immediately reported casualties from the aerial attacks
  • Unknown: the number of hours/days since the conflict escalated

Sources:

  • AP (No date) - article cited as source for information on the aerial attacks
  • Eloy Cantu Segobia - government spokesman who made a public statement offering conditional negotiations with the Zapatistas