Abraham Araujo

The government of Abraham Araujo took place during very difficult times. The Cristos War was at its peak and practically the entire country was armed. There was a law in Mexico at that time limiting the number of priests to one per eight thousand residents and further placed them under the jurisdiction of local governments.

In protest, the Archbishop of Mexico wrote a pastoral letter suspending religious services and leaving the church in the people's care. The Catholic population then mounted an economic boycott against the government, which in turn caused persecution of the priests who conducted religious services without official sanction.

The previous Governor of Queretaro had hoped to name his own successor but Abraham Araujo attacked the Governor's Palace the next day. The then Governor Constantino Llaca Nieto was out of the city during the storming of the Palace and did not return. Abraham Araujo was then named to take his place on the first of October, 1927.

Governor Araujo received orders from Mexico City to take all the priests prisoners as well as their followers who had hidden and protected them during the persecution. The central government was afraid that had they not taken this extreme action, the priests and their followers might unite and support the Christian forces. Governor Araujo refused to arrest the priests and their followers but gave them 15 days to leave the city. This action allowed him to gain the approval of the people.

There was, at this time, a movement to remove Governor Araujo from office but it soon failed due to the terrible turmoil in Mexico at the time. Two presidents had already been assassinated and it was difficult for Governor Araujo to carry out his plans for Queretaro.

[missing bit: En Julio de 1928 sobrevino el asesinato del presidente electo Alvaro Obregon. Aunque el asesino había sido jose de leon toral, se juzgó como autora intelectual del crimen al la madre conchita, abadesa cuyo nombre era conceptcion acevedo y de la llata. Como era oriunda de queretaro y pertenecía a una familia distinguida, cuando se le condenó a 20 años de cárcel los queretanos se sintieron sumamente conmocionados y la situación se volvió crítica.

translation: In July 1928, the President-Elect, Alvaro Obregon was unexpectedly assasinated. Although the murderer had been Jose de Leon Toral, the intellectual author of the crime was considered to be the Catholic nun known as Conchita, the Abbess Concepción Acevedo y de la Llata. As she was a native of Queretaro and belonged to a distinguished family, when she was condemned to 20 years in jail the Queretanos were extremely shaken and the situation received public criticism. ]

Governor Araujo was, however, able to establish some measures that greatly benefited the people of Queretaro. He established an oversight and audit department to ensure that state funds were being properly distributed and not misused. He further created a State Department of Health to ensure that the health of the people of Queretaro. He further placed his full support and encouragement in the publication of scholarly newspapers and also built the first school to train technicians, accountants and other public employees.

He also made valiant efforts to improve tourism.

Despite these gains, Governor Araujo was keenly aware that his enemies were plotting his downfall. The then opposition leader, Portes Gil, disliked him. In 1929 Governor Araujo was accused of mishandling public funds. Governor Araujo was overthrown on June 25th 1929 and replaced by B. Jose Alcacer. Three hours later Alcacer gave up the office to Angel Mellado.

Abraham Araujo left his birthplace of Queretaro to live in Mexico City. He later returned to Queretaro in 1935 to head up the office of Economic Affairs.

Posted by Lisa at March 12, 2003 04:03 PM