Who was Belisario Domínguez and why is there a medal in his honor

Every year the House of Senators awards the “Belisario Domínguez Medal” to those who stand out for their knowledge in a science or profession. To date, they have given 68 medals to citizens who are distinguished by their political, social or patriotic actions.

Since 1954, the Senate of the Republic of Mexico has presented the medal in honor of the senator from Chiapas, Belisario Domínguez Palencia, who was key to the overthrow of the dictatorship of Victoriano Huerta.

Through the Belisario Domínguez Medal Commission, which is responsible for the review of applicants for each call and which, in accordance with the Organic Law of the General Congress of the United Mexican States, give the medal to the most eminent Mexicans, for their “proposals, their dedication and love of the homeland”.

Belisario Dominguez was born on April 25, 1865 in Comitan, Chiapas. Besides being a politician he was a doctor He completed his professional studies at the Sorbonne University where he qualified as a midwife and surgeon. In his political life he joined the Liberal Party, through the newspaper El Vate published articles against Porfirio Díaz and encouraged people to question the government.

After Victoriano Huerta submitted his report to the National Congress on September 16, 1913, Belisario Domínguez responded to him on the 23rd and 29th of the same month. With this action he denounced the president's crimes, today he is remembered for his truth and as an example of justice.

In February 1913, Belisario Domínguez lived in Mexico City, was a substitute state senator from Chiapas. In the context of the betrayal of Victoriano Huerta, commander of the Armed Forces who ordered the assassination of Francisco I. Madero and Vice President José María Pino Suarez in order to stage a coup d'état and seize power in the midst of the so-called Tragic Decade.

Domínguez denounced what was perpetuated by Huerta from the rostrum of the Senate, requesting his dismissal and stated: “The National Representation must remove Don Victoriano Huerta from the Presidency of the Republic, because he is the one against whom all our brothers in arms are protesting with great reason and, consequently, because he is the least can bring about pacification, the supreme desire of all Mexicans [...] will you let him continue in power for fear of death? ”.

In his first speech against the repression and crimes of Huerta on September 23, he highlighted how dangerous it was for the country to have someone like Victorian at the helm: “Penetrate into yourself, gentlemen, and solve this question: What would you say about the crew of a great ship than in the most violent storm and on a sea? will appoint a pilot a butcher who without any nautical knowledge sailed for the first time and had no other recommendation than to have betrayed and killed the captain of the ship?”

On September 29, he made his second speech in which he pointed out Victoriano as a murderer, repressor and criminal: “When the obsession is most fixed, Don Victoriano Huerta becomes exasperated and to temper his brains and fainting nerves he appeals to his cruelest, fiercest instincts, and then says to his own: kill, assassinate, that only by killing my enemies will peace be restored”.

The act of raising his voice and his rebellion cost him his life, on October 7, 1913, a few days after the elections he was killed by the Huertista police.

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