Pancho Villa

The famous Mexican revolutionary was killed on 20th July 1923, by a group of seven riflemen who fired on his entourage and in the ensuing chaos nine bullets hit his upper torso, instantly killing him.

He was born to Agustín Arango and Micaela Arámbula, on 5th June, 1878 in San Juan del Rio, Durango, Mexico, and was named José Doroteo Arango Arámbula. He was the eldest child and had four siblings.

He attended a local school run by the church authorities, but after his father’s sad demise, he started working as a sharecropper in order to earn a livelihood.

He killed an estate owner named Agustín Lopez Negrete, but the reason behind this is uncertain. Fleeing from impending imprisonment, he took refuge in the ‘Sierra Madre Occidental’ mountains where he spent a few years as a bandit. He stole animals and was even taken into custody by the mountain police for his acts.

In order to curb outlaws, the then president of Mexico Porfirio Díaz, took special measures according to which the fugitives were recruited into the Federal army by force. Similarly, Villa was also appointed into the army from where he soon evaded and travelled to the state of Chihuahua.

In 1903, he murdered an army officer and henceforth, he was renamed as Francisco "Pancho" Villa. His friends also address him as La Cucaracha (the cockroach).

He then used his outlaw pursuits in a better way after being advised by politician Abraham Gonzalez. Gonzalez was an associate of political leader Francisco Madero who was against the dictatorial rule of Porfirio Díaz, and made endeavours to help his fellow Mexicans fight with such regime.

The ‘Mexican Revolution’ which began in 1910, under the guidance of Francisco Madero, was also joined by Villa. The following year, the ‘Battle of Ciudad Juárez’ took between the federal army of Díaz and the revolutionary troops of Madero. The battle was won by Madero’s troops.

The revolution resulted in Díaz’s exile and Madero became the President of Mexico. The new president made Venustiano Carranza, who had been an associate of Díaz, the Minister of War. This decision of Madero was not accepted by Villa.

This leader led many rebellions and emerged successful in them. However, the one which is regarded as the most remarkable is the ‘Battle of Tierra Blanca’. His war strategies and plans impressed the U.S. army and his moves in the war were even covered by the film industry, and made into a documentary film.