Mexico - Chiapas

Travel throughout Chiapas, Mexico's southernmost state, may be delayed due to security checks. Chances of meeting a rebel roadblock are reduced after the recent military crackdown. Sometimes you may run into a roadblock put up by locals. Roadblocks in the Chiapas region can be as simple as a piece of string held up across the road. Many times rebels or locals will ask for articles of clothing. Journalists are also restricted in their movements. Interviews with Subcommander Marcos, although fairly easy to obtain, frequently involve long waits (up to a week or more) and a late-night rendezvous in a remote location.

The town of San Cristobal in the state of Chiapas is relatively quiet. The situation could become unstable in areas of Chiapas state outside of San Cristobal. Locals claim that law and order has ceased to exist in Chiapas, despite the presence of government troops. The army rarely intercedes in local disputes, even when they turn deadly.

The Mexican government is highly suspicious of foreigners traveling in the Chiapas region. In May 1997, 12 foreigners-including Spanish, Dutch, German, French and Italian nationals-were deported for participating in a protest march by Chol indians demanding the release of political prisoners.

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