According to recent reports, on 6 June 1993 more than 1,000 members of the state security forces, allegedly accompanied by local landowners, raided the peasant villages of Chalam del Carmen, Rio Florido, Nuevo Sacrificio, Eden del Carmen and El Carrizal, Ocosingo municipality, State of Chiapas. They then arbitrarily arrested 23 peasants, including three elderly men aged between 80 and 102, who were later released, and two minors aged 14 and 15. Several people, including women and children were reportedly beaten, and members of the security forces reportedly destroyed more than 100 houses and stole peasants’ belongings. In custody, the 23 men were allegedly tortured and forced to sign confessions in Spanish. Most are still held in Ocosingo prison on reportedly unfounded charges.
