February
Without warning the government puts out arrest warrants for the Zapatista general command, and the army goes on the offensive into Zapatista areas. The EZLN retreat to the hills, holding their fire and appealing to Civil Society for support to avert a massacre.

May
The government suggestions from the San Andrés Peace negotiations are rejected by the communities.
December
The EZLN forces slip through the military encirclement and set up road blocks. The Mexican currency collapses, and US President Clinton agrees to a US$30 billion bailout for Mexico.