Indigenous peoples are employed there, however, living in near-slavery conditions. People we interviewed in the refugee camps are scared and hungry. Some are sick. The camps lack food and warm clothing. Although, the Maya are accostumed to warm weather, the camps where they are staying are very cold.
Most families have between five and eight children.
The refugees expresed concern about the future. Many people joined Zapatista insurgents, and the communities have become divided between those who support the insurgents, and those who do not. Refugees often denounced that the Mexican Army has been kidnapping, torturing and intimidating Indigenous Peoples. Everyone in the camps is frightened. Roger Maldonado, spokesman for the Coordinating Committee of NGO's in San Cristobal reports that over 200 people are being held in the jail in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the state capital.