New self-defense militia appears in Chiapas, Mexico to fight organized crime

Vigilantes of "El Machete" as they call themselves, an armed group made up mostly of indigenous people to defend themselves against drug cartels, are seen during an assembly with indigenous communities, in Pantelho, Chiapas, Mexico July 18, 2021. REUTERS/Jacob Garcia

CHENALHÓ, Mexico (Reuters) - Just like the Zapatista rebels before them, the indigenous people of Chiapas state in southern Mexico have taken up arms, though this time they said it was to beat back the organized crime gangs plaguing their communities.

Dozens of armed, hooded people belonging to a group called 'El Machete' marched over the weekend in the streets of Pantelho in the mountains of Chiapas - a first public act.