Under the new Multilateral Agreement on Investment, the Mexican government will lose much of its power to grant autonomy to communities because it will commit Mexico, as our government will commit Canada, to sweeping new powers for international capital and corporations that will override national jurisdictions. Mexico is also a member of APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, which is developing new means to permit a freer flow of capital and resources in Pacific Rim countries. If she were not an EZLN leader, Ramona would be dead. Few Chiapas peasants have access to expensive surgery and medication. In fact, Ramona used to be a street vendor, selling the mother dolls, that were transformed into Ramona Dolls, to tourists on the streets of San Cristobal.
Street vendors are still too poor to receive specialised medical treatment.
Her transformation from street person to revolutionary leader has given hope and inspiration to thousands of poor women. She has given them a dream of possibility - the possibility to transform their lives and to dare to dream of transforming society. She has become a symbol to many other Ramonas struggling now and yet to be born. Her name may be Ramona. Terry Wolfwood is a Victoria activist who was a human rights observer in a Chiapas community this year with the 'Building Bridges' programme.