Topics: In His Own Words

In the interview, the EZLN leader looks at major issues, such as EZLN's relationship with other armed organizations. His offers his opinion of key Latin American figures, placing the Zapatista movement in context with the region. Marcos also review its history in order to respond to criticisms aimed at him and the Zapatistas. Additionally, he talks of the movement's future and criticizes the threat of a counterinsurgency conspriracy. It's an interview with Marcos where, at first reluctantly, he agrees to speak of own self, almost confidentially, with more than just a little regret, and with the his well-known sense of humor and knack for irony. Here are some of his thoughts:

Present:

"We are out of fashion"

Isolation:

"We are like in 1993, but the opposite is happening now. Back then we were getting ready for the uprising, without resources, without people, without attention; we simply didn't exist. But now it's the complete oppositve. Now it's the government that's preparing the attack.

Uprooting from Zapatista-controlled land:

- So if there is an armed confrontation, will you respond in kind?

- Yes. We are now taking preventive measures, and the agreement is that the EZLN will not attack because we respect the ceasefire, but we will not stand around and do nothing if we are attacked by whomever that may be.

Achievements:

"In the Zapatista community is not like people are rich, but there no longer is hunger. Before there was, and now everyone eats the fruits of their own work."

Love:

- How do you find love living in the shadows?

- Holy shit! It's real diffricult," he said with great remorse

Ski Mask

- How does it feel to wear the ski mask?

- Very hot when it's hot out and when it's cold the cloth is very think and it sticks to the sin and hardens. It's the worse thing that can happen to you, really. I'll never do an uprising again wearing a ski mask!

Latin America

"I would put Castro in the same place as Zapata and Villa"

The Future:

The EZLN is not really defined. We are used to that and that's the way things work out the best for us"