Famous Mexican Presidents

Benito Juárez was a Mexican politician, military commander, lawyer, and statesman. He served as the 26th president of Mexico and was the first indigenous president of the country. Juárez held various federal positions including Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Public Education, and President of the Supreme Court. He led the Liberals to victory in the Reform War and the Second French intervention in Mexico. Juárez was known for his advocacy of civil liberties, equality before the law, and the strengthening of the Mexican federal government.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador is a Mexican politician who has had a long and varied professional career. He began his political journey in 1976 as a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party before joining the Party of the Democratic Revolution in 1989. López Obrador served as the Head of Government of Mexico City from 2000 to 2005, where his policies on crime, infrastructure, and social spending gained him popularity. He later founded Morena party in 2011 and was elected as the 65th president of Mexico in 2018 as part of the Juntos Haremos Historia coalition.

Lázaro Cárdenas del Río was a Mexican army officer and politician who served as president of Mexico from 1934 to 1940. He played significant roles in the Mexican Revolution, serving as a general in the Constitutional Army and as Governor of Michoacán. As president, he implemented major land reform programs, nationalized the country's oil industry, and introduced left-leaning reforms. Cárdenas outmaneuvered political rivals, including Plutarco Elías Calles, and incorporated the army into the Party of the Mexican Revolution to prevent military intervention in politics.

Francisco I. Madero was a Mexican businessman, revolutionary, writer, and statesman who served as the 37th president of Mexico. He advocated for democracy and opposed the authoritarian regime of Porfirio Díaz, leading the Mexican Revolution to oust him. Madero's book in 1908 called for preventing Díaz's reelection, sparking widespread support for his candidacy. Despite initial popularity, Madero faced opposition from conservatives and radicals during his presidency, eventually being deposed and assassinated in a coup d'état in 1913.

José Venustiano Carranza de la Garza was a Mexican politician who served as President of Mexico from 1917 until his assassination in 1920. He played a key role in the Mexican Revolution, serving as the de facto head of state and drafting the Constitution of 1917. Carranza organized the Constitutional Army to oppose General Huerta, ultimately taking power in Mexico City. His presidency focused on internal security and eliminating political rivals, but he faced criticism for not fully implementing the constitution's social and land reforms.

Miguel Alemán Valdés was a Mexican politician who served as the President of Mexico from 1946 to 1952. He was the first civilian president following a series of revolutionary generals. Alemán's administration oversaw Mexico's rapid industrialization, known as the Mexican Miracle. However, it was also marked by allegations of significant personal enrichment for himself and his associates. Alemán's presidency ushered in a new era of Mexican leadership, with a focus on young, university-educated civilians in key government positions.

Manuel González Flores was a Mexican military general and liberal politician who served as the 35th President of Mexico from 1880 to 1884. He played crucial roles in the Mexican–American War and the Reform War before becoming a general in the French intervention in Mexico. González supported General Porfirio Díaz in his bid for the presidency and served as Mexican Secretary of War in the Díaz administration. His presidency was marked by significant diplomatic and domestic achievements, despite being criticized for corruption.

Adolfo de la Huerta was a Mexican politician who served as the 45th President of Mexico following the overthrow of President Venustiano Carranza. He played a significant role during the Mexican Revolution and was considered an important figure among Constitutionalists. Huerta worked closely with Sonoran generals Alvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles under the Plan of Agua Prieta. Throughout his career, he held various political positions and made notable contributions to Mexican politics and history.

Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada y Corral was a Mexican liberal politician and jurist who served as the 27th president of Mexico from 1872 to 1876. He previously held the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Lerdo de Tejada succeeded Benito Juárez as president and successfully pacified the country after years of political unrest, strengthening the Mexican state during his term. He was overthrown by Porfirio Díaz in 1876, who ousted him using the Plan of Tuxtepec. Lerdo de Tejada died in exile in New York in 1889.

Porfirio Díaz was a Mexican general, politician, and dictator who served as President of Mexico for over 30 years in three separate terms. His political career involved active participation in Liberal Party politics, fighting against the Conservative Party and the French Intervention. Díaz played a key role in the Reform War and the Second Mexican Empire's downfall. His regime, known as the Porfiriato, focused on economic growth but faced opposition due to policies favoring a small elite, leading to civil unrest and ultimately the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution.

Álvaro Obregón Salido was a Mexican military general and politician who served as the 46th President of Mexico from 1920 to 1924. He played a key role in the Mexican Revolution, rising through the ranks to become the best general of the Constitutionalist Army. As president, he oversaw significant reforms in education, land, and labor laws. Despite facing internal rebellions, Obregón's pragmatic centrism and ability to unite various factions of the revolution made him a respected leader. His assassination in 1928 led to a political crisis in Mexico.

Nicolás Bravo Rueda was a Mexican soldier and politician with a significant career in Mexican history. He played a crucial role in the Mexican War of Independence and served as Mexico's first Vice President. Despite attempting to overthrow President Guadalupe Victoria, he was later exiled but eventually returned to serve as interim President of Mexico three times. During his presidency, he oversaw important transitions in the country, such as the shift to a new constitution. Bravo also commanded Mexican forces in the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican–American War.

Vicente Guerrero was a Mexican military officer and statesman who played a significant role in the country's fight for independence from Spain. As one of the leading generals during the Mexican War of Independence, he demonstrated strong leadership and strategic prowess. Guerrero later served as Mexico's second president, where he implemented important reforms such as the abolition of slavery. Despite his efforts to enact positive change, Guerrero faced challenges and was ultimately removed from power in a rebellion led by his Vice-President, Anastasio Bustamante.

Enrique Peña Nieto, commonly known as EPN, is a Mexican former politician who served as the 64th president of Mexico from 2012 to 2018. A member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), he previously held positions such as Governor of the State of Mexico, local deputy, and Secretary of Administration. Peña Nieto began his political career in the 1980s, rising through the ranks to become president. His presidency was marked by initiatives such as the Pact for Mexico, economic reforms, and public education improvements, but was also marred by corruption scandals and low approval ratings.

Plutarco Elías Calles was a Mexican soldier and politician who served as President of Mexico from 1924 to 1928. He founded the Institutional Revolutionary Party and held de facto power from 1929 to 1934, known as the Maximato. Calles implemented left-wing populist and secularist reforms during his presidency, leading to the Cristero War. He played a key role in Mexican politics after his presidency, supporting and influencing subsequent presidents. Calles' legacy is marked by both praise for his reforms and criticism for his authoritarian tendencies.

Emilio Portes Gil served as the President of Mexico from 1928 to 1930, succeeding Obregón after his assassination. As a key figure during the Maximato era, he faced the challenge of navigating political power dynamics in a post-revolutionary Mexico. Portes Gil's presidency was marked by the influence of Plutarco Elías Calles, the de facto political leader at the time. Despite these challenges, Portes Gil worked to uphold the Mexican Constitution and fulfill the duties of the presidential office during his tenure.

Juan Álvarez was a prominent general and caudillo in southern Mexico, serving as president of Mexico for two months in 1855. He rose to power in the Tierra Caliente region with the support of indigenous peasants, fought in various wars including the Mexican–American War, and was a key figure in the Liberal Reform movement. As a liberal reformer, republican, and federalist, he advocated for universal male suffrage and municipal autonomy, playing a crucial role in incorporating Mexico's peasant masses into the country's political landscape.

Valentín Gómez Farías was a Mexican physician and liberal politician who served as president of Mexico twice. Known for his liberal policies, he aimed to reduce the political influence of the Mexican Army and Catholic Church, leading to conflicts with conservatives. He advocated for a return to the federalist system and attempted a failed revolt against the government. Gómez Farías implemented controversial measures, such as nationalizing church lands to fund the war effort during the Mexican-American War. His efforts laid the groundwork for significant reforms in Mexican politics.

Miguel Miramón was a Mexican conservative general who rose to prominence during the Reform War. He served as president of Mexico at a young age, leading conservative forces in various battles and sieges against liberal factions. Miramón's military prowess earned him the nickname "Young Maccabee" as he achieved several victories early in the war. Despite periods of exile, Miramón continued to be involved in Mexican politics, eventually meeting his downfall with the fall of the Second Mexican Empire and subsequent execution.

José López Portillo was a Mexican writer, lawyer, and politician affiliated with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He served as the 58th president of Mexico from 1976 to 1982. During his administration, López Portillo initiated a process of political openness by passing electoral reforms and granting amnesty to guerrilla fighters. He focused on economic nationalism, heavily investing in the national oil industry. However, his tenure was marred by a severe debt crisis following a fall in international oil prices. López Portillo's presidency was also marked by government corruption and nepotism.

Ignacio Comonfort was a Mexican politician and soldier who played a key role in the liberal movement to overthrow the dictatorship of Santa Anna in 1855. He served in the cabinet of President Juan Álvarez before assuming the presidency himself. During his presidency, the Constitution of 1857 was drafted, incorporating liberal reforms that faced opposition from conservatives, particularly the anticlerical provisions. Comonfort's attempts to compromise with opponents ultimately led to his resignation and exile, as he navigated through political unrest and civil war.

Vicente Fox Quesada is a Mexican businessman and politician who served as the 62nd president of Mexico from 2000 to 2006. He was the first president not from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) since 1929. During his presidency, Fox continued neoliberal economic policies, maintained strong relations with the United States, and faced diplomatic conflicts with countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Bolivia. He was involved in unsuccessful attempts to introduce policy changes, faced internal political conflicts, and was credited with economic growth and reducing poverty rates.

José Victoriano Huerta Márquez was a general in the Mexican Federal Army and 39th President of Mexico. He rose to prominence through a military career under President Porfirio Díaz and Interim President Francisco León de la Barra. Huerta played a significant role in the first phase of the Mexican Revolution under President Madero. He orchestrated a coup against Madero, resulting in the Ten Tragic Days and his subsequent rise to power. However, his regime faced opposition from the Constitutionalist Army, leading to his resignation and eventual exile.

Felipe Calderón is a Mexican politician who served as the 63rd president of Mexico from 2006 to 2012. He was a member of the National Action Party (PAN) for 30 years before quitting in 2018. Calderón held various positions within the PAN, including National President and Federal Deputy. He also served as Secretary of Energy during Vicente Fox's presidency. Calderón's term was marked by the declaration of war against drug cartels, an increase in homicides, significant federal force deployment, and the establishment of various initiatives and reforms.

Carlos Salinas de Gortari is a Mexican economist and politician who served as the 60th president of Mexico from 1988 to 1994. Affiliated with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), he held various positions in the government, including Secretary of Programming and Budget. As president, he implemented neoliberal economic policies, oversaw mass privatizations, negotiated Mexico's entry into NAFTA, and faced criticism for perceived economic hardships caused by his policies. Despite early successes, his administration was marred by corruption scandals, political violence, and an economic crisis that unfolded after he left office.