by Max Baseman

Created on: April 24, 2009

Subcomandante Marcos has a substantial beneficial influence in Mexico. He has a revolutionary charisma that piques the interest of hundreds of followers. He has a highly intellectual mind which he uses to spread information and enact his revolution. He is the figurehead of the EZLN or Zapatista Army of National Liberation. In order to appreciate the considerable and positive influence Marcos has on Mexico it is first important to understand his symbolic power.

A large portion of the Subcomandante's hold on Mexico resides in his charismatic powers, Marcos with his "his trademark black ski mask and pipe" has been "dubbed as the new Ernesto 'Che' Guevara"(1). Marco's followers "idolize him, [and] describe him as a true national leader, a historic figure who speaks for the poor and dispossessed"(2). Marcos' main opposition are the "the right and business people" who "accuse Marcos of being a demagogue, an irresponsible dreamer and a blackmailer"(3). Using his charisma and "messianic speeches" Subcomandante Marcos is "the man responsible for putting the impoverished state of Mexico's indigenous population in the spotlight, both locally and internationally"(4). Marco's mysterious masked appearance has inspired "handcrafted dolls...T-shirts, posters and badges"(5). About his masked face Marcos has said "he will take the mask off once the conflict is over, because it is crucial to his role in the struggle" and that "'Once the mask is gone, so is Marcos'"(6). While Marcos still wears his mask he has reached a "pop star statues" when he marched "his 3,000 kilometre trek to the capital, Subcomandante Marcos and the rebels [were] welcomed by huge adoring crowds, chanting and whistling and treating their heroes more like pop stars than guerrillas"(6). Part of subcomponent's charismatic draw is due to his intellectualism.

Subcomandante uses his knowledge and mind to fight his revolution, he has been quoted to say his movement is "more about ideas than bullets"(7). The Mexican authorities believe he is Rafael Sebastian Guillen, forty-three years old who is said to have " received a masters' degree in philosophy" and later became a philosophy teacher at the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) in Mexico City(8). Subcomandante Marco's has "written 21 books, some of which have gone on to be printed in numerous editions and translated into several languages"(9). His writings include titles like La Historia de los Colores which "speaks of tolerance and solidarity"(11). He is

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