San Cristobal de las Casas, October 15 (RHC)-- In Mexico, the Zapatistas argued at the 20th anniversary National Indigenous Congress that resource exploitation will ultimately destroy the Earth.

The event marks 20 years since the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, also known as the EZLN or Zapatistas, first launched the National Indigenous Congress as a rallying cry in the early years after the movement emerged from the Lacandon jungle and declared war against the Mexican state. The gathering brought together Indigenous peoples from Mexico and other countries, including Colombia and Guatemala, to share experiences, discuss collective challenges, and advance their struggles through solidarity.

The iconic Subcomandante Marcos – also known as Subcomandante Galeano – made a rare appearance, and the Zapatistas renewed their call for Indigenous unity across Mexico in the face of what the movement recognizes as runaway social and environmental destruction in the interests of a few, while the people – especially Indigenous communities – suffer the consequences.