Quote by Subcomandante Marcos: “To govern is to obey. That is our way.”

Marcos articulates a radical vision of leadership where those in power serve the will of the people, rather than commanding them. This quote defines the Zapatistas' commitment to direct democracy and accountability.

The Zapatistas operate on the principle of *mandar obedeciendo* (to command by obeying). This statement reflects their governance model, where communities direct their leaders, challenging traditional hierarchies of power.

Pseudonym of Rafael Sebastián Guillén Vicente, a Mexican political theorist and spokesperson for the Zapatista Army of National Liberation, which led an indigenous uprising in Chiapas in 1994. His writings blended literary flair with political philosophy and gained global attention. He later adopted the name Subcomandante Galeano.