National Security Archive Update, August 20, 2009 Breaking the Silence: The Mexican Army and the 1997 Acteal Massacre
For more information contact:
Kate Doyle – kadoyle@gwu
In Guatemala (until Monday, August 24): 502 4408-9899
New York office: 646-613-1440, ext. 238
Washington, DC, August 20, 2009 – As Mexicans debate last week’s Supreme Court ruling vacating the conviction of 20 men for the Acteal massacre, newly declassified documents from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency describe the Mexican Army’s role in backing paramilitary groups in Chiapas at the time of the killings. The secret cables confirm reporting about military support for indigenous armed groups carrying out attacks on pro-Zapatista communities in the region and add important new details. They also revive a question that has lingered for almost 12 years: when will the Army come clean about its role in Acteal?
-----------------
Mientras los mexicanos debatían sobre el dictamen de la Suprema Corte la semana pasada, que anula la condena de 20 hombres por la masacre de Acteal, documentos recién desclasificados de la Agencia de Inteligencia de la Defensa (DIA según sus siglas en inglés) de EU describen el papel del Ejército en el apoyo a los grupos paramilitares en Chiapas, al momento de los asesinatos. Los cables secretos confirman los reportes sobre el apoyo militar a los grupos indígenas armados que llevaron a cabo ataques contra comunidades pro zapatistas de la región y añaden importantes detalles nuevos. También reviven un asunto que ha estado latente por casi 12 años: ¿cuándo dirá la Sedena la verdad sobre su papel en Acteal?
Please visit the National Security Archive Web site for more information.
________________________________________________________
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ARCHIVE is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals.