Aguascalientes IV is also at risk from the army. This meeting space, constructed in 1996 as a place for the Zapatistas to meet with civil society from around Mexico and the world, is only a few kilometres up the road from the town of Altamirano and its huge military garrison. The government is also working hard to try and destabilise the nearby community of Morelia, creating bitter division among the indigenous population in order to weaken the rebels. The guerillas have warned that any such attack will meet a very determined response. The people of Diez de Abril accept the stress, the fear and the gloom with smiles and hard work.
Morale is high despite everything, and practical jokes are the order of the day.
Building a wall near the old ranch house proves slow work because everybody stops by to make some wisecrack, and we always end up helpless with laughter. You know, the string system. Don Ernesto told me all about it. There are blank stares all round. Nobody knows what he's talking about.