MEXICO CITY — Twenty-five years ago, the far-left paramilitary group known as the the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) appeared in Chiapas, a southern state in Mexico with a predominant indigenous and impoverished population.

Since then, the group has evolved into more of a local political force within the state, but they recently issued a statement threatening the new Mexican government.

The statement commemorating its twenty-fifth anniversary says its fight will not stop under Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s presidency.

The Zapatistas oppose a proposed train project in southern Mexico known as "the Mayan train," saying the government is attempting to exploit indigenous communities and lands.

"Well, they (the Zapatistas) are in their right to speak out, but we have the support from the people (of Mexico)," stated President López Obrador in a press conference.

López Obrador says he is not bothered with the Zapatistas’ reaction, although his government is open to dialogue.