Mexico wants to transform its southern state of Chiapas into an international tourist attraction, but the indigenous communities that live there reject the plan - arguing that they don't want their ancestral land to be exploited by the government or multinational companies.<br /><br />The Mexican government is proceeding with plans anyway. According to court documents, they have already hired a US consulting firm to come up with an $85m development which includes luxury hotels owned by international chains.<br /><br />Protests by the indigenous communities have been met with force. Earlier this year, one person was killed and more than 100 arrested when protests erupted after the government seized a toll booth operated by locals at a park entrance.<br /><br />The military now patrols the area. Those who oppose the project believe it is an attempt to intimidate them.<br /><br />The growing distrust between the government and the autonomous communities in Chiapas has left human rights groups worried.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Rachel Levin reports from Chiapas, Mexico.
