The December 22, 1997 massacre in Acteal, Chiapas dismayed all Canadians, and the Government of Canada has condemned it in the strongest terms. The day after the massacre, the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed Chiapas with the Mexican foreign minister by telephone. During Team Canada's January 11-14, 1998 visit to Mexico, Chiapas was raised directly with President Zedillo in a meeting with the Minister for International Trade, the Secretary of State for Latin America and Africa and the premiers. The Canadian government has since raised and will continue to raise the issue of Chiapas with Mexican officials.
In mid-March, the Mexican government proposed constitutional amendments on indigenous rights and culture. Theses amendments, according to the Mexican government, fulfill its obligations under the San Andres accords. The amendments will be debated in the Mexican congress.