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Zapatista Rebels Extend Control Over Areas in South Mexico

Associated Press

   MEXICO CITY - Mexico's Zapatista indigenous rebel group announced that
   it is extending its control over so-called "autonomous" zones to 11
   more areas in the southern state of Chiapas.

   The Zapatistas do not hide their dislike of President Andres Manuel
   Lopez Obrador, but when he was asked about the announcement Monday,
   Lopez Obrador said the expansion was "welcome."

   "Go ahead, because that means working to benefit the villages and the
   people,'' Lopez Obrador said. "The only thing we don't want is
   violence."

   A statement signed by Zapatista "subcommander" Moises and posted over
   the weekend called it an "exponential growth that allows us to break
   the blockade again."

   But some of the new autonomous zones are likely to be controversial.

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