New Hope for Mexico

Vincente Fox Quesada's victory in this year's presidential election was a stunning and important moment for Mexico. Fox managed to break the iron grip of the Institutional Revolutionary Party that had held the presidency for the last 71 years. Even after this monumental achievement, he does not appear willing to rest on his laurels.

After directly addressing the Zapatista rebels in his inaugural speech, Fox has taken concrete steps to reduce the tension in Chiapas. Fox declared that his actions will speak for themselves, and he has lived up to that pledge. He has eliminated military roadblocks, ordered soldiers to return to their barracks and offered amnesty to some Zapatista prisoners. Fox has also appointed a new official, highly respected by the Zapatistas, to head the negotiations with the rebels.

In addition, Fox has been conciliatory towards the indigenous Indian rebels' social demands. He has revived several laws to protect Indian rights that were scrapped under the previous Zedillo administration. Fox has also sent a package of reforms to congress, labeled the San Andres Accords. These proposals to give limited home-rule to Mexico's indigenous Indian communities were scuttled by the Zedillo government.

Fox has tried to reopen dialogue with the rebels and their enigmatic leader, Subcommander Marcos. Though Marcos has been only cautiously optimistic, Fox appears ready to take the steps necessary to earn the confidence of the rebels and turn their insurrection into a peaceful democratic movement. Fox portrayed himself during the campaign as a champion of the common people, and he is living up to that image by proposing legislation to finally help the most downtrodden Mexicans, the Indians of Chiapas.

While the Zapatista rebels have utopian economic goals, they have always maintained that they are seeking a stable democratic political system. The rise of Fox and his National Action Party signals the transition to democracy for which they have been waiting. Fox has taken the first steps towards repairing the breach that has rent the country. If both sides can negotiate on reasonable terms, there is a strong possibility that their differences can be resolved, resulting in tranquility and prosperity for Chiapas.