Jan - April
Conflict is building over government plans to expel Zapatista communities from the Montes Azules Biosphere.
May - July
Three more Zapatista prisoners are released and another Encuentro takes place in Belen, Brazil.
August
Paramilitary activity is stepped up with the killing of four Zapatistas in the Cañadas region.

September
The Supreme Court upholds the waterdown version of its 'Law on Indigenous Rights and Culture' ignoring over 300 complaints raised against it. Widespread protests follow. A political solution to the conflict becomes less and less likely…
December
Subcommandante Marcos sends a series of communiques, breaking his silence, showing his support for independence movements in Spain and criticising the policies of the Spanish state. The first displacement of indigenous villages begins in the Montes Azules biosphere reserve. Zapatista communities located there pledge to stay and fight.