We will not be hostages to the peace talks in San Andres. The following are three possible explanations for who may be responsible for the violence being used to undermine the peace talks and why. The fact that the attacks in San Cristobal coincided with other acts of violence throughout the state is more a reflection of the complexity of Chiapas's problems than a signal that coordinated waves of repression are being used to undermine the peace talks. The coletos have demonstrated a history of aggression towards the Church, NGOs, foreign human rights workers and journalists. The repression may be part of a larger coordinated effort spearheaded by Eraclio Zepeda's hard-line group in the Chiapas state government.
Violence escalates during peace negotiations.
State security police, alongside paramilitary groups and civic fronts, are carrying out a campaign of repression aimed at derailing the peace talks and breaking the Zapatista movement and its solidarity networks. As part of a struggle for power within the state government, Zepeda may be attempting to destabilize the interim governor ship of Ruiz Ferro. Because Zepeda's faction is operating in cooperation with a national hard-line power bloc, the actual attackers could be part of the military intelligence branch. The generalized violence and militarization in Chiapas is part of an overall counter-insurgency strategy coming from the federal government and its international military advisors. As part of the LIW, the Mexican state is participating in the peace negotiations to protect its international image with a facade that reflects a commitment to the dialogues.