The Zapatista uprising began on January 1, 1994, in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Led by the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), the movement aimed to address issues such as poverty, land rights, and indigenous autonomy. The uprising coincided with the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which many believed would worsen conditions for rural communities. The Zapatistas, inspired by the revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, sought to empower indigenous people and promote social justice. Their message resonated globally, leading to increased awareness of indigenous rights and the struggles faced by marginalized communities in Mexico.