Rodolfo Herrera
Encyclopedia
Rodolfo Herrero was a Mexican military officer, noteworthy for his participation in the Mexican Revolution
of 1910 to 1920. He is generally believed to be the officer responsible for the death of President Venustiano Carranza
.
In early 1920, Herrero was a rebel commander subordinate to General Manuel Pelaez
. However, in March 1920, he surrendered to Carranza’s forces under the promise of amnesty and he was allowed to keep his rank of General.
In May 1920, Carranza’s government collapsed under pressure from forces supporting Álvaro Obregón
. Carranza and his supporters attempted to flee Mexico City
to Veracruz
. At the Aljibes rail station, they were informed that the rail line had been severed and that Veracruz had fallen. So Carranza proposed to travel on foot north to San Luis Potosí
. It was near the rural village of La Union that Carranza’s small party was joined by the forces of Rodolfo Herrero. Herrero offered to guide and escort Carranza’s party through the rugged rural area of northern Puebla
. He escorted the party to the small settlement of Tlaxcalantongo. Herrero then excused himself by saying he had to attend to a wounded brother, but promised to return.
In the early morning of May 21, 1920, Carranza’s party was attacked by soldiers believed to be under the command of Herrera. When the dawn came, Carranza was discovered dead from several bullet wounds.
Herrero was ordered to Mexico City for questioning. Obregón denounced him for murder and treason. In the Capital, Herrera was questioned at length but not held. Seven months later, he was confined for a week in the military prison of Santiago Tlaltelolco. He was stripped of his military rank and cashiered out of the army, but otherwise allowed to go free.
Herrero was subsequently reinstated as a general during the presidency of Obregón, only to be dismissed again during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas
.
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
of 1910 to 1920. He is generally believed to be the officer responsible for the death of President Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza
Venustiano Carranza de la Garza, was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. He ultimately became President of Mexico following the overthrow of the dictatorial Huerta regime in the summer of 1914 and during his administration the current constitution of Mexico was drafted...
.
In early 1920, Herrero was a rebel commander subordinate to General Manuel Pelaez
Manuel Peláez
Manuel Peláez Gorrochotegui Mexican military officer, noteworthy for his participation in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 to 1920.Manuel Peláez was born in 1885 in the Huasteca region of the state of Veracruz, in the coastal area roughly between Tampico, Tamaulipas, and the port of Veracruz...
. However, in March 1920, he surrendered to Carranza’s forces under the promise of amnesty and he was allowed to keep his rank of General.
In May 1920, Carranza’s government collapsed under pressure from forces supporting Álvaro Obregón
Álvaro Obregón
General Álvaro Obregón Salido was the President of Mexico from 1920 to 1924. He was assassinated in 1928, shortly after winning election to another presidential term....
. Carranza and his supporters attempted to flee Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
to Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. At the Aljibes rail station, they were informed that the rail line had been severed and that Veracruz had fallen. So Carranza proposed to travel on foot north to San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
. It was near the rural village of La Union that Carranza’s small party was joined by the forces of Rodolfo Herrero. Herrero offered to guide and escort Carranza’s party through the rugged rural area of northern Puebla
Puebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
. He escorted the party to the small settlement of Tlaxcalantongo. Herrero then excused himself by saying he had to attend to a wounded brother, but promised to return.
In the early morning of May 21, 1920, Carranza’s party was attacked by soldiers believed to be under the command of Herrera. When the dawn came, Carranza was discovered dead from several bullet wounds.
Herrero was ordered to Mexico City for questioning. Obregón denounced him for murder and treason. In the Capital, Herrera was questioned at length but not held. Seven months later, he was confined for a week in the military prison of Santiago Tlaltelolco. He was stripped of his military rank and cashiered out of the army, but otherwise allowed to go free.
Herrero was subsequently reinstated as a general during the presidency of Obregón, only to be dismissed again during the presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas
Lázaro Cárdenas
Lázaro Cárdenas del Río was President of Mexico from 1934 to 1940.-Early life:Lázaro Cárdenas was born on May 21, 1895 in a lower-middle class family in the village of Jiquilpan, Michoacán. He supported his family from age 16 after the death of his father...
.
Books
- Johnson, William Weber, HEROIC MEXICO: The Violent Emergence of a Modern Nation, 1968, pgs 353-355