CPTnet
June 29, 2001
Chiapas: ENJOY TOURISM!?
By Diego Eduardo Méndez

"Enjoy tourism! Enjoy Mexico!" General H. Sánchez, the highest ranking
military officer of the 31st region, said to CPT Chiapas team members Lynn
Stoltzfus, Jerry Stein and Diego Méndez at the Rancho Nuevo military
installation on May 29th.

On May 22, the team paid a visit to the Majomút army base, one of the
"social labor camps," in the county of Chenalhó. Social labor (or civic
action) camps are staffed by Mexican soldiers who provide services such as
meals, hair cuts and basic medical attention. However, the camps mostly
exist to justify the military presence in the area.

The team went there to express concerns about the increase in military
patrols in the area and the heavier weaponry mounted on the Mexican army
HUM-Vs (made in the U.S.A., many in northern Indiana). Major Edgar Segundo,
the ranking official on site, informed CPTers that he was not allowed to
give information. The team was redirected to General Sánchez.

At Rancho Nuevo, General Sánchez, gave the usual line: "We're feeding the
poor, providing services."

Team members challenged him on the sustainability of the military providing
the infrastructure for basic services and pointed out that most of the
displaced indigenous campesinos don't use the service. The General's face
turned grave. "Maybe you could help us with that."

The military has consistently tried to convince CPT members that the army's
presence could be helpful to the thousands of displaced campesinos in
Chenalhó County and throughout Chiapas.

The Abejas, as well as the many others struggling for justice and working
for peace in Chiapas, see through the thin veil: the army is there to watch
and threaten them. On June 5th, a group of indigenous women from Polhó
were threatened with rape while collecting firewood by ten intoxicated
soldiers from the Majomút base.

Back at Rancho Nuevo, team members inquired if the increased patrol was part
of the counter-insurgency. "What counter insurgency!?" Sánchez exclaimed.

Sánchez repeatedly suggested that team members were violating their
tourist visas and that they should dedicate themselves to tourist
activities.

"We're only concerned about the well being of our friends who feel
threatened by your presence. It's nothing personal. It's a structural
issue" said the CPTers.

"Yes, citizens of the world, right?" Sanchez said, laughing, although he was
clearly not amused. "The Mexican army has a right to be anywhere it wants
in Mexico."

When the team brought up the issue of the heavy weaponry they had seen, he
responded, "What's a big gun? What's a small gun?" he asked. "I assure
you I have much larger weapons in this base than any you've seen in
Chenalhó; it's all relative."

"We hope no such weapons will be seen in Chenalhó," replied team members.

In the meantime, it is difficult to think about "enjoying tourism."