A Mexican guerrilla movement that arose in 1994 in the poor south-eastern province of Chiapas. The Zapatistas, named after the revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, embarked on an armed struggle to fight discrimination against Maya Indian people in the allocation of land and jobs. Their grievances were fuelled by the North American Free Trade Agreement concluded between Mexico, the USA, and Canada in 1993, which they claimed would benefit only the rich. The initial rebellion of 1994 left the EZLN in control of some territory and drew world attention to its cause. In 1996 it signed the San Andrés Accords with the Mexican government; these recognized the rights of indigenous peoples and promised greater autonomy. However the government subsequently rejected them and periodic violence continued. In the late 1990s the EZLN emphasized political action over armed conflict and, after further abortive negotiations, in 2003 unilaterally implemented the Accords in communities under its control. The EZLN continues to hold some territory in Chiapas.