Supporters of Zapatista rebels in Chiapas have blocked access to the Mexican stock exchange and occupied two radio stations in protest at the massacre of 45 Indians last month.

Protesters threw red paint at the walls of the modern, domed stock exchange building on Mexico City's central Reforma Avenue and placed coffins in the street to symbolize the deaths of the Indians massacred by paramilitaries on December 22.

A Zapatista supporter who helped take over a radio station waves from a bus

"How much is Indian blood trading at today?" asked one poster stuck to the walls by the Zapatista supporters.

The protesters said they were members or supporters of the Zapatista National Liberation Front, the political wing of the Zapatista National Liberation Army, guerrillas who rose up against the government in southern Chiapas in January 1994.

At the same time, dozens of protesters wearing black ski masks and bandannas occupied two Mexico City radio stations, Radioactivo and Pulsar FM. They demanded the stations broadcast a taped message from the Zapatistas.

After about four hours, a group of men in black uniforms with black masks carrying automatic weapons arrived and broke up the protest, flushing demonstrators from the building.

Zapatista rebels are fighting for improved rights for indigeneous Indians

As the agents brandished their weapons, Zapatista supporters shouted "murderers" and "Are you going to shoot at the people again?"

BBC Correspondent, Emma Paterson, says that the stock exchange blockade was a publicity ploy, clearly intended to shake the confidence of foreign investors.

The demonstrations had little effect on the Mexican market in trading on Monday.

Nevertheless, propaganda is now the most powerful weapon that the militarily weak guerrilla force wields.

The rebels' aim is to keep international attention focused on the conflict in Chiapas and to embarrass the Government into accepting their terms for the resumption of peace talks.

The negotiations broke down more than a year ago, after the Government rejected a key rebel demand concerning partial autonomy for Indian communities.

Deadlock at the negotiating table has led to increased tensions between the two sides, as the government has sought to flex its muscles and to intimidate the rebels by sending thousands of extra soldiers into the troubled state.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©