1996-10-17 Local Press - Commander Ramona
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EZLN Commander Ramona Attends Indigenous Congress.
After weeks of debate about whether the Zapatistas would send representatives to the Indigenous Congress in Mexico City, Zapatista Commander Ramona was sent to represent the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN). Ramona had not been seen in public since March 1994, during the very beginning of the peace talks. According to Sub-commander Marcos7 Ramona is "the most belligerent, aggressive and intransigent arm of the EZLN." The government had warned the Zapatistas that they were not permitted to leave Chiapas and that 'the law would be applied to them' if they did. After two days of negotiations, however, it was decided that Ramona, who is suffering from cancer, would go. Marcos clarified that the EZLN "didn't ask permission" they simply asked the Congressional Mediation Commission to facilitate her trip.
In her message to the thousands that gathered in the central plaza (Zocalo) to celebrate the day of "La Raza" on October 12, Ramona said, "We came here to yell, along side all of you, that no more, never again a Mexico without us!" Ramona, who speaks very little Spanish, read a communiqué from the Zapatistas after speaking in her native tzotzil. Later, the EZLN announced that Ramona would stay in Mexico City for a month or two to receive medical treatment, including possibly a kidney transplant. A group of volunteer private sector doctors is attending to her, since the Zapatistas said they do not want the government involved. (La Jornada, 13-15 October).
Over 600 delegates to the Indigenous Congress agreed to a "unity pact" in order to promote profound legislative changes. In addition, they called for a new constitution; the demilitarization of the country; and the reopening of the Conasupo corruption case in Congress. (La Jornada, 12 October).