In 1994, there was fear of a military uprising in Mexico, resulting in the Zapatista guerrilla army led by Subcommandante Marcos waging war against the government in Chiapas. Additionally, the rise of drug cartels and their associated violence caused some concern among the people. The government also faced criticism due to allegations of fraud during the election that year. The murder of 45 indigenous activists and the violent suppression of protests during the Zapatista uprising also strained the country's democratic stability.