The Zapatistas withdraw from the peace talks. The Zapatistas say they will not return until conditions change, including government implementation of the signed accord and the end to escalating violence against Zapatista civilian communities in Chiapas. Paramilitary forces aligned with the ruling party massacre 45 villages accused of being Zapatistas. Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia withdraws as mediator of the peace talks, stating that his work has been undermined by a government campaign aimed at discrediting him. Mexican federal police have identified 12 different paramilitary groups now operating in the state of Chiapas.
Local villagers report that there are in fact more, but it is unclear as to how many.
In 1998-99, there have been at least 70 political killings in Chiapas and there are now more than 17,000 internal refugees.