In a recent statement, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador commended the actions of Francisco “Pancho” Villa, a key figure in the Mexican Revolution, for his 1916 incursion into Columbus, New Mexico, which resulted in the deaths of 18 Americans. López Obrador described Villa’s raid as a “daring feat” and suggested that it should be acknowledged for preventing what Villa viewed as betrayals.
The Mexican leader’s remarks have brought attention to a historical event that has often been overshadowed by Villa’s broader contributions to Mexico’s domestic revolution against Porfirio Diaz’s dictatorship.
López Obrador’s reference to the Columbus attack as a form of resistance against imperialism, quoting historian Pedro Salmerón, adds a layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding Villa’s legacy. This perspective aligns with López Obrador’s previous expressions of admiration for Salmerón despite controversies surrounding the historian’s proposed ambassadorship to Panama, which was ultimately rejected due to allegations against him.
The attack on Columbus, executed by Villa and his forces, involved looting and setting ablaze homes and businesses, leading to casualties among both the local populace and U.S. military personnel stationed there. This act of aggression prompted President Woodrow Wilson to launch a military expedition into Mexico to apprehend Villa, an endeavor that ultimately proved unsuccessful.
The motivations behind Villa’s attack on Columbus have been a subject of historical debate, with some attributing it to a sense of betrayal by the U.S. government. Villa, expecting support from President Wilson, felt sidelined when the U.S. recognized the leadership of Venustiano Carranza, another revolutionary figure. Additionally, grievances against an American arms dealer, who allegedly supplied Villa with faulty ammunition, have been cited as contributing factors to Villa’s decision to strike.
President López Obrador’s recent comments highlight the enduring complexities of historical figures like Villa, whose actions have been interpreted in various lights, from national heroes to controversial figures. The acknowledgment of Villa’s attack on U.S. soil by the Mexican president underscores the evolving narrative of Mexico’s revolutionary history and its leaders’ roles in shaping the nation’s identity.
We are still being invaded today. Enough, already!
At least then, we fought back.
There are a few lessons to learn from Ol’ Pancho. Anyone else see a bunch of broken promises from politicos all in this story?
Tyranny always looks different at the time it is happening. Oh and the winners get to tell their side of the story. Bias has been around a good minute!
Viva New Mexico! Viva!!
Well we got twenty or more give or take a little of Panchos men.
We killed about 100 of their 400 raiders.
Yep…and that wasn’t near enough. Hung a few from the Courthouse Park Cottonwood tree in Deming a few days later too… and that wasn’t enough either.
My relatives were responsible for some of them, defending themselves from the raiders.
Its an amazing successful Bonnie and Clyde syndrome story.
I worked in Columbus from 1991-1992 as a assigned Deputy Sheriff, then from August 1998- March 2006 as the Police Chief.
The State Park, owned by the State of New Mexico, named it, Pancho Villa State Park.
The population for the most part celebrates with open arms, Raid Day or Pancho Villa day.
What did Pershing do? Remember him? The leader of the US Expeditionary in WW1?
How about any of the 18 murdered that day? Does anyone remember who died in Columbus? Do you know why they died or how they were executed? Do you know what was stolen? Was anything returned that was stolen?
Other than some of the dirt streets named for the executed, for the most part, raid day is a celebration of so called friendship between the USA and Mexico. That’s what the majority Democratic political party control of the left has successfully done in Columbus NM.
Rebranded a execution of innocent Americans and hailed the hero Villa in return.
The left DNC has successfully morphed legal with illegal.
I’m gonna say it, one of the the modern day stupidity’s of enhancing and stepping up murderous conduct as legit… started here.
Its coming to NY… in 40-50 years or so…just like it happened in Columbus NM.
I’m going to call it Airplane day…the celebration of life after 9-11 where the DNC left memorializes the hijackers as hero’s. What do we call the park there though? Any suggestions?
If this post irritates or infuriates you, Welcome yourself to identification with the far left DNC political Party of New Mexico… where executing infants in the womb up to the moment of birth is just SNAFU.
To the extent that I am familiar with the story of the Columbus Raid I think I largely see it as you do. My grandmother was forced into service as a nurse for Doroteo Arango’s (“Pancho Villa”) wounded in a convent he appropriated in Parral. Therefore, I grew up knowing Arango was no saint. Is there a reliable book or other reference material that is trustworthy regarding the Columbus Raid event? If so, please advise because I know little about it and don’t know whether or not to trust those things I do hear about it.
The post was admitted. Originally it was censored. It is listed above.
Raid day aka Pancho Villa day is still active, and it ran again this past March 8,9 & 10th, 2024.
I believe in my heart it should be continued as a act of good will and good faith, the event needs a new name to celebrate the event, just as the State Park…needs a new name.
If the city of Santa Fe can permit the removal of a WW1 veterans memorial…
The Village of Columbus can officially request the State to rename the State Park, and the event sponsers can officially rename the annual event too.
Amelia Airhart flew into Columbus once…Ive heard they may have finally found her aircraft on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
Just a thought…
Peppers Supermarket in Deming offers a book for sale at the lottery sales desk. I havent read it, so it might not be a best seller.
The Luna County Courthouse has the records stored in the basement about who was hanged in the courthouse park… 700 S Silver, Deming NM 88030. 575 546 6526…
Those records, and the information in them of the court cases should be a wealth of data for a person willing to dig them up. I was thinking 11 were hanged in Deming after the raid.
What do we call the memorial park in Manhattan? How about “Mossad Green Space”?
The sleazy, woke Democrats are already venerating the Hamas terrorists and I agree that the day is coming when they will venerate the 9-11 terrorists as well.
A future Osama bin Laden Park is a very real possibility.
Censored again… Being the former Chief of Police of Columbus NM from August 1998- March 2006 and getting censored must mean I don’t know what I’m talking about… go figure.
Thank you for your time in public service. How did you get censored & do the still have the cabalgata in Columbus?
For some odd reason whatever software this blog employs just “drops” comments without allowing them to appear. I am not sure it is censorship. Maybe it is. I contacted the owner of the blog but did not get a satisfactory answer. It is irritating because one might put some time into crafting a particular comment only to find it was for naught.
Suprisingly… the censored post was re allowed… recon someone read it.
The post was admitted. Originally it was censored. It is listed above.
Raid day aka Pancho Villa day is still active, and it ran again this past March 8,9 & 10th, 2024.
I believe in my heart it should be continued as a act of good will and good faith, the event needs a new name to celebrate the event, just as the State Park…needs a new name.
If the city of Santa Fe can permit the removal of a WW1 veterans memorial…
The Village of Columbus can officially request the State to rename the State Park, and the event sponsers can officially rename the annual event too.
Amelia Airhart flew into Columbus once…Ive heard they may have finally found her aircraft on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
Just a thought…
Calling Pershing’s punitive expedition “unsuccessful” is an understatement.
Agreed…
To call it Columbus memorial state park would be more significant in that the memory of those who withstood the surprise attack by the villains, as in the twin towers attack would be preserved.
Agreed.
Isn’t this an example of why the U.S.A. should stay out of politics in other nations? Go ahead and give aid, but politics? Whenever this country inserted their preferences, it usually comes back to bite us in the butt.
At least back then we had a Government that would stand up for America and protect it!
Mexico implicitly understands that there is no need to do any armed US invasion. Unarmed masses are walking across our border unopposed. We have somewhere around 30-40 million illegal immigrants in this country. Most of them came thru Mexico and encouraged to do so. When they arrive, we actually give them free stuff and let them work and wink at it, calling it cheap labor. Drug cartels actively war with each other for the opportunity to send drugs north. Our citizens desire them, they say with a shrug. They are not wrong. We are our own worst enemy. Mexicans are laughing all the way to the bank…..
How to stop it? Build the wall. Employ the US Army to the border. Tax the 50-60 Billion in remittances at 25%. Mass deportation. SCOTUS needs to get rid of the stupidity of the anchor baby clause decided in 1898. Round illegals up and send them south in cattle cars. Every illegal immigrant should have a stomach heavy with acid, afraid that ICE is going to break down the door at 2AM. DACA? Utter nonsense. Our greatest generation got WW2 entered, fought and won. This problem can be solved, if we have the national will. My biggest fear is that we are unable to summon up that will. We need to cut the nonsense.