Abelardo L. Rodríguez
Encyclopedia
Abelardo Rodríguez Luján, commonly known as Abelardo L. Rodríguez (May 12, 1889 – February 13, 1967) was the interim president
of Mexico
from 1932–1934, completing the term of Pascual Ortiz after his resignation.
, Sonora
, to a poor family, he worked early in his life in a hardware store, in a copper mine, and as a professional baseball player. He did not finish his primary studies in Nogales
, Sonora
. He joined the Mexican revolution
in 1913 and began moving up the ranks soon after. He became a Colonel in 1916, and following his involvement in the Plan de Agua Prieta, he was named Military Commander of Northern Baja California
in 1921.
Following Ortiz's resignation, Rodríguez took the presidency on September 4, 1932. Some of his accomplishments included the establishment of several financial institutions, the restoration of public education, and the implementations of laws related to private charity and monopolies. He also lengthened the presidential term length from four to six years.
After his term ended on November 30, 1934, Rodríguez returned to private life until 1943, when he was elected Governor of Sonora
, where he had a significant impact on education. He promoted university education, establishing Sonora's state university. He resigned from his governorship in April, 1948, citing health reasons. He returned to his work in business, in which he continued until his death in La Jolla, California, in 1967.
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
from 1932–1934, completing the term of Pascual Ortiz after his resignation.
Early life
Born in San Jose de GuaymasGuaymas
Guaymas is a city and municipality located in the southwest part of the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico. The city is located 117 km south of the state capital of Hermosillo, and 242 miles from the U.S. border, and is the principal port for the state. The municipality is located in the...
, Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, to a poor family, he worked early in his life in a hardware store, in a copper mine, and as a professional baseball player. He did not finish his primary studies in Nogales
Nogales, Sonora
Heroica Nogales , more commonly known as Nogales, is a city and its surrounding municipality on the northern border of the Mexican State of Sonora. The municipality covers an area of 1,675 km², and borders to the north the city of Nogales, Arizona, United States, across the U.S.-Mexico border...
, Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
. He joined the Mexican revolution
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...
in 1913 and began moving up the ranks soon after. He became a Colonel in 1916, and following his involvement in the Plan de Agua Prieta, he was named Military Commander of Northern Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
in 1921.
Political career
In 1923 he became Governor of Northern Baja California, and continued as both Military Commander and Governor until 1929. He continued one more year as Governor of Northern Baja California, and then in 1932, he held two different cabinet positions under president Ortiz.Following Ortiz's resignation, Rodríguez took the presidency on September 4, 1932. Some of his accomplishments included the establishment of several financial institutions, the restoration of public education, and the implementations of laws related to private charity and monopolies. He also lengthened the presidential term length from four to six years.
After his term ended on November 30, 1934, Rodríguez returned to private life until 1943, when he was elected Governor of Sonora
Governor of Sonora
List of governors of Sonora since 1917:*2009–2015 Guillermo Padrés Elías*2003–2009 Eduardo Bours Castelo*1997–2003 Armando López Nogales*1991–1997 Manlio Fabio Beltrones Rivera*1991–1991 Mario Morúa Johnson...
, where he had a significant impact on education. He promoted university education, establishing Sonora's state university. He resigned from his governorship in April, 1948, citing health reasons. He returned to his work in business, in which he continued until his death in La Jolla, California, in 1967.
Legacy
- General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International AirportGeneral Abelardo L. Rodríguez International AirportTijuana International Airport , sometimes referred to as General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport, in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, is Mexico's second northernmost airport after Mexicali International Airport...
, TijuanaTijuanaTijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
, Baja CaliforniaBaja CaliforniaBaja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North... - Presa Abelardo L. Rodríguez, dam over the Tijuana RiverTijuana RiverThe Tijuana River is an intermittent river, 120 mi long, on the Pacific coast of northern Baja California in Mexico and southern California in the United States.-Location:...
- El Sauzal de Rodríguez, Ensenada Municipality, Baja CaliforniaBaja CaliforniaBaja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...