A Mexican rebel group announced Wednesday that it is ending the state of high alert that was instituted last month, El Universal reported online. In June, Zapatista rebels said they were considering laying down their arms in favor of dialogue with the government. The group said it was searching for a political means to resolve long-held grievances against the Mexican government. Zapatistas, also known by the Spanish acronym EZLN, have been waging both a political and armed struggle against the Mexican government for the last 11 years. The group's first major clash with the government came in 1994 when EZLN battled soldiers in the southeastern state of Chiapas, leaving an estimated 150 people on both sides dead. Last week, there was speculation in the Mexican media the Zapatistas were actually gearing up for another offensive. In response to the rumors, the group's leader, Subcomandante Marcos, said there were no plans for a "military offensive." © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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