Commemoration of the Sacrifice of Senator Belisario Domínguez (1913)
October 7
Belisario Domínguez Palencia was born on April 25, 1863 in Comitán (Comitán de las Flores at the time), Chiapas. His parents were don Cleofas Domínguez Román and Doña María de Pilar Palencia Espinoza. His father was a member of the Liberal Party, who lost a leg in the Comitan defense against the French, while his mother, Pilar Palencia, was originally from Guatemala.
Belisario joined the Institute of Sciences and arts in San Cristobal Las Casas, where he studied up to high school level. In 1879 went to France with one of his brothers, to study the Chevalière institution and then the State College at the school of medicine at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris, where, in 1889, received his professional title of medical surgeon, obstetrician and eye doctor.
On December 14 1989 he returned to Comitan and set up his practice, He undertook long journeys to reach the marginalized areas to take care of the sick, set up free clinics and started a newspaper.
In 1903 he moved to Mexico and published a letter entitled ‘Chiapas’, where he denounced the rulers of the State and implores the media to act independent of the corrupt government. Discontent was growing in the country against the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz; In 1911 Domínguez was elected Mayor of Comitán, Liberal Party; and a year later, elected substitute Senator by the Liberal Club.
Belisario Domínguez frustrated the Huerta regime; Domínguez’ speeches are banned and he is called a ‘usurper, murderer, traitor and national shame’. There are calls for his resignation.
On October 7, 1913, Dominguez is taken at night from his room in a hotel and driven to a house in Tacubaya; where he is tortured, his tounge removed and murdered. His body which failed to burn was buried near the Coyoacan cemetery.
Belisario Domínguez is a hero because he is considered the moral compass of Mexico at a time when there was little freedom and his heroic sacrifice was a precursor to the revolution.
In recognition of his bravery Comitan is now officially called Comitan de Domínguez. Additionally one of the highest medals in the land is the Senate’s Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor, a dam is in his memory as well as the commemorative day for hero of Mexico.