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1. Guerrilla Warfare:
- The Zapatistas launched an armed uprising on January 1, 1994, the day NAFTA went into effect, attacking several towns in the southern state of Chiapas.
- Their military actions aimed to draw attention to the negative consequences of NAFTA and its impact on indigenous communities.
2. Land Occupations:
- The Zapatistas occupied large tracts of land in Chiapas that were claimed by wealthy landowners and government officials.
- By doing so, they protested the government's failure to address land inequality and sought to restore ancestral lands to indigenous communities.
3. Blockades and Disruptions:
- The Zapatistas set up roadblocks and engaged in civil disobedience to disrupt economic activities in Chiapas and elsewhere in Mexico.
- These actions targeted businesses and industries that benefited from NAFTA while marginalizing indigenous communities.
4. International Awareness Campaigns:
- The Zapatistas launched a global media campaign to bring their cause to the attention of people around the world.
- They used internet communications, international conferences, and solidarity networks to denounce NAFTA's adverse effects on indigenous rights, labor standards, and environmental sustainability.
5. Diplomatic Negotiations:
- At various points, the Zapatistas entered into peace talks with the Mexican government to discuss their demands, including greater autonomy and recognition of indigenous rights.
- These negotiations resulted in several agreements, such as the San Andres Accords, which aimed to address the root causes of the movement's grievances.
Overall, the Zapatista movement showcased its disapproval of NAFTA through a combination of armed struggle, land occupations, direct actions, and strategic communication strategies. By challenging both the Mexican government and the neoliberal economic policies embodied in NAFTA, the Zapatistas sought to defend their communities' rights and promote social justice in Mexico.