PEDRO LASCURÁIN PAREDES: BIOGRAPHY AND CONTRIBUTIONS - HISTORY - 2025

Pedro Lascuráin Paredes was the shortest Prime Minister in the history of Mexico. His time at the headquarters of the State lasted exactly 45 minutes, from 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on February 19, 1913.

In reality, his appointment was only a political strategy carried out by Victoriano Huerta to achieve his true objective: to be appointed himself as President.

The historical Mexican context leading to Lascuráin's brief presidency is extremely turbulent. The long presidency of Porfirio Díaz, the period called Porfiriato, gave way to numerous rebellions and uprisings of those harmed by the authoritarianism of his mandate.

Lascuráin Paredes participated as a minister in the government of Díaz's successor, Francisco I. Madero. Despite his attempts to normalize and democratize the country somewhat, they were unable to prevent movements against him.

It must be borne in mind that, apart from internal opposition, they were also faced with the antipathy of the United States, which further weakened the president and his government.

First years and studies of Lascuráin Paredes

Born in Mexico City, on May 12, 1858, his full name was Pedro José Domingo de la Calzada Manuel María Lascuráin Paredes. He was the son of a wealthy family, described by the chronicles of the time as very Catholic and honorable.

The economic comfort came from his father, a merchant from Veracruz who had achieved a good position. On her mother's side, she had a certain political influence, since she was the daughter of General Mariano Paredes Arrillaga, who became president of Mexico in 1846, albeit temporarily and briefly.

As befitted the social position of his family and its deep religious beliefs, Lascuráin attended the best educational centers. Thus, the period of early childhood education was spent in the Catholic School. Later she continued her studies at the Conciliar Seminary of Mexico.

After these first years, he continued his education at the National Preparatory School. His goal was to become a lawyer, managing to graduate from the National School of Jurisprudence in 1880.

Once he obtained the title, he found his first job in the City of Mexico City. Her position was that of Accountant.

Political career

The lawyer managed to be President of the Capital City Council, being a member of it (with several different positions) for 16 years.

Likewise, in his early days in politics he worked in the government of Porfirio Díaz, more specifically in the Ministry of Foreign Relations. It should be noted that International Law and Foreign Relations were the fields in which he participated the most during his political life.

It is, however, after the fall of the Porfiriato and the coming to power of Francisco I. Madero, when his career begins to take off. His first important position came to him in 1912, when for a few months he was the Secretary of Foreign Relations. In December of that same year, he resigned from the post, becoming mayor of Mexico City.

Relations with the United States

During Lascuráin Paredes' stages in the Foreign Office, he had to deal with a character who would be key in subsequent events.

It was the American ambassador, Henry Lane Wilson. Some scholars call the Mexican politician fearful when confronting Wilson, who would not stop threatening to intervene militarily if the rebellions that followed Madero's appointment did not cease.

The importance of Wilson in subsequent events was such that it is known that he met with the two leaders of the movement that sought to overthrow Madero and his government: Victoriano Huerta and Felix Díaz, signing with them a pact to end the legitimate government.

In fact, after the facts were known, the President of the United States accused Wilson of treason for supporting a coup.

Second stage in the Madero government

The return of Lascuráin to the government of the nation was the one that would culminate with his brief presidency, the assassinations of Madero and his vice president Pino Suárez, and the rise to power of Huerta.

There are differences of opinions between the different researchers about the extent to which Lascuráin was aware of all the movements that were developing around him.

In any case, the politician returned to his post as Secretary of Foreign Relations on January 16, 1913, just three weeks before Huerta and his men launched the final attack.

Presidency

The key to the doubt is that the Constitution in force at the time declared that, in the case of resignation or removal of the President, it was precisely the Foreign Minister who would automatically take his position.

The chronology of the events begins on February 9, when the rebels begin the coup known as Decena Tragica. For 10 days, a series of military attacks weakened government positions. In addition, the support of the US ambassador helps Huerta put even more pressure on Madero.

In all these maneuvers Lascuráin Paredes plays a fundamental role, whether deceived or knowingly. It is he who advises Madero to resign to save his life, promising help to go to Veracruz and from there by boat to Cuba. It seems that, in the same way, he promises that he will not surrender his resignation in Parliament until he has fled.

However, the same day that Lascuráin makes that offer to Madero, he presents the resignations. He automatically becomes the 39th president of the United States of Mexico.

Protest and resignation

Your stay in office only lasts 45 minutes. In fact, his only action as the top leader is to issue a protest and then appoint Huerta as Secretary of the Interior.

You then submit your resignation. As established by the Constitution in his line of succession, at that time Victoriano Huerta became president of the country.

To top it all, the agreement with Madero (and also with his vice president) is broken and three days later they are assassinated by Huerta's men.

In any case, Lascuráin would declare his innocence until the end of his days. In his last interview, when he was 93 years old, he said the following:

“My sole purpose had been to obtain guarantees that would save the life of Señor Madero, the apostle of the revolution. It was the evil deception, because very few hours after being guaranteed the life of the president, he was assassinated. I don't want to add more. »

Other works

Although overshadowed by his time in politics, Lascuráin also carried out other tasks. On the one hand, he was a real estate developer. Likewise, I am a member of the Legislation and Jurisprudence Association and of the Mexican Bar-College of Lawyers.

More important were his legal works, being the author of several books on civil and commercial law. Finally, it should be noted that he served as a professor at the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City, being appointed Honorary Rector.

According to some sources, Huerta tried to get him to return to politics but never accepted his proposals.

Death

After a long life dedicated to his profession in a private way, he retired from the practice of active law. She died in Mexico City on July 21, 1952, at the age of 96.

References

1. Carmona Dávila, Doralicia. For only forty-five minutes, Pedro Lascuráin Paredes assumes the position of interim president. Recovered from memoriapoliticademexico.org
2. Molina, Sandra. 101 villains in the history of Mexico. Recovered from books.google.es
3. Wikiquote. Pedro Lascuráin Paredes. Obtained from es.wikiquote.org
4. Revolvy. Pedro Lascuráin. Retrieved from revolvy.com
5. The Complete MesoAmerica. The world's briefest presidency. Retrieved from tcmam.wordpress.com
6. Library of Congress. Victoriano Huerta (1854–1916) Becomes Interim President on February 19, 1913. Retrieved from loc.gov
7. Biography.com. Francisco Madero. Retrieved from biography.com
8. Upclosed. Pedro Lascuráin. Retrieved from upclosed.com.