Battle of Zacatecas (1914)
The Battle of Zacatecas, also known as the Toma de Zacatecas, was the bloodiest battle in the campaign to overthrow Mexican President Victoriano Huerta. On June 23, 1914, Pancho Villa's División del Norte decisively defeated the federal troops of General Luis Medina Barrón defending the town of Zacatecas. The great victory demoralized Huerta's supporters, leading to his resignation on July 15. However, the Toma de Zacatecas also marked the end of support of Villa's Division of the North from Constitutionalist leader Venustiano Carranza and US President Woodrow Wilson.
Battle of Zacatecas (1914)
Cerro de la Bufa
Equestrian statue of Pancho Villa, atop Cerro de la Bufa
José Victoriano Huerta Márquez was a general in the Mexican Federal Army and 39th President of Mexico, who came to power by coup against the democratically elected government of Francisco I. Madero with the aid of other Mexican generals and the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. His violent seizure of power set off a new wave of armed conflict in the Mexican Revolution.
Portrait, c. 1912
Victoriano Huerta (1850–1916), Mexican dictator (1913–1914)
General Huerta (left) with Emilio Madero, Pres. Madero's brother, and Pancho Villa, 1912.
Victoriano Huerta and his cabinet