Mexico Deports 12 for Chiapas Activity

Latin America

Mexico: Accusing foreign visitors of meddling in local politics, the Mexican government has brought deportation proceedings against 43 foreigners, including 34 Americans, who took part in New Year's celebrations sponsored by Zapatista rebels in troubled Chiapas state. Twelve of the foreigners have been ordered out of the country, and hearings will be held for the remaining 31. The celebration, attended by U.S., Argentine, French, Italian and Portuguese observers, also marked the sixth anniversary of the Zapatista rebellion in the southern state. Foreigners sympathetic to the Zapatista peasants have often visited to show their support, and the Mexican government has accused many of violating their tourist status, which prohibits them from interfering in internal Mexican politics. Although government troops and rebels are currently observing a cease-fire, the State Department's standing consular information sheet on Mexico suggests that travelers exercise "extreme caution" in Chiapas.

Ecuador: The government has declared a national state of emergency to deal with a series of ongoing demonstrations by labor unions, indigenous groups and social organizations over governmental economic policies. Last week, police tear-gassed hundreds of oil workers and students marching on the government palace in Quito, and troops worked to clear roads blocked by Indians in several of Ecuador's provinces. The State Department, in an announcement effective until Feb. 11, advises Americans in Ecuador to be cautious and avoid areas of protest. Strikes by transportation workers may disrupt taxi and bus service. In the event of barricaded highways, tourists traveling outside major cities should make contingency plans for their return. In another development, seven Canadian oil workers and an American worker, held by suspected leftist guerrillas who had kidnapped them in Ecuador's eastern jungle more than three months ago, were freed last month after the oil company paid a ransom.

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