Rebel sources in Mexico say a female leader of the Zapatista rebel movement has died.
Zapatista leader Subcomandante Marcos Friday announced the death of Comandante Ramona, saying Mexico had lost a fighter and the Zapatistas had lost a piece of their heart.
The announcement came during a stop in Chiapas, six days into the leader's nationwide tour.
The nature of Comandante Ramona's death was not immediately clear, but it was rumored that she had cancer or a kidney disease. She had once received a kidney transplant.
The mysterious female leader was a Tzotzil Indian and a promoter of women's rights. She was a longtime member of the Zapatista movement and appeared in public wearing a black ski mask.
On January 1, Subcomandante Marcos emerged from his jungle hideout to begin a six-month nationwide tour in a bid to influence this year's presidential elections.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, and Reuters.