Mexican army soldiers were visible along the road. The Mexican army is carrying out a systematic operation of search, arrest and intimidation. This operation follows the campaign of bombing in the mountains during the early days of the war, which caused many casualties. The government denies bombing deaths and repression of civilians. But conversations with villagers contradict the government.
Helicopters constantly fly overhead.
They are U.S. helicopters, many purchased supposedly for the so-called drug war. The town of Ocosingo was the scene of the heaviest combat between the Zapatistas and Mexican army. One woman there said 150 people died from government bombings in her neighborhood of San Sebastian, more than the government admits died in the whole uprising. Ocosingo residents courageously denounced the army's repression against them. Some openly sympathize with the Zapatista demands.