Carlos Iglesias in Betijoque: “Cristóbal Mendoza, a man who loved his country and loved his people”

Eduardo Viloria /DLA

The president of the Legislative Council of the Trujillo state, Carlos Enrique Iglesias Martinez, an educator with vast experience, said at the Rafael Rangel Council, where he had to speak about the life and work of Cristóbal Mendoza, first President of Venezuela, according to the exhibitor, “A true Trujillo native and lover of his country, a man who loved his country and loved his people, who united in him integrity, honesty, responsibility and character. A man who sacrificed youth and well-being for the freedom of our nation.”

The President of the Legislative Council was the special guest of the Council, Rafael Rangel, to present the knowledge he has about Cristóbal Mendoza, whose remains were recently taken to the National Pantheon in recognition of his well-deserved patriotism, a Trujillo and Venezuelan who sacrificed everything for freedom.

Cristóbal Mendoza, said the speaker of the Betijoque Council, was born in the city of Trujillo on June 23, 1772, descendant of a family with many economic resources, which allowed him to be educated in Caracas and Santo Domingo, where he obtained degrees of licentiate, doctor in canon law and civil law. He was also the teacher of another hero of independence, also born in Trujillo lands, Antonio Nicolás Briceño.

Called for 9 in the morning, the session of the Rafael Rangel Council began after 10, with the presence of councilors Oswaldo Puche Franco, president of the body; Jenny Viloria, José Antonio Espinoza, Marcial Puche and Adolfo Contreras, also present the Municipal Comptroller, the local Chronicler Gustavo Salas, the researcher and scholar of national and local universal history Eduardo Zambrano and many more, who occupied the seats located in the Council hall.

From the podium of the Betijoque Council, Carlos Iglesias Martínez said that Cristóbal Mendoza was in Barinas exercising the position of Syndic Procurator and Protector of the natives, when the events of April 19, 1810 occurred in Caracas, joining the independence movement from that land, being elected secretary of the Superior Board, and later deputy to the Constituent Congress of 1811. When the Congress met on March 6 of that year, they proceeded to appoint the Executive Power, presided over by Cristóbal Mendoza, an act that gives him the honor of being the first President of Venezuela.

After a long process, added the speaker of order of the Council Rafael Rangel, on July 5, 1811, the representatives of the provinces of Venezuela declared that “they were free and sovereign” that day, the representatives of the Executive Power presided by Cristóbal Mendoza, addressed to the people of Caracas a proclamation to announce: “the breaking with the foreign ties and that Venezuela from that moment was the owner of its own destiny.” The constituent Congress sanctions in December of that year the first constitution of Venezuela, a document that also bears the signature of Dr. Cristóbal Mendoza.

After the fall of the First Republic, the speaker of the ceremony stated, Mendoza took refuge in New Granada, where he collaborated with Dr. Camilo Torres, president of the Union. Simon Bolivar asked him to return with these words: “Come without delay; come. The country needs you.” I will go ahead conquering and you will continue organizing me: because you are the man of organization, as I am the man of conquest.”

Cristóbal Mendoza, said the keynote speaker, led an austere, honest life, with unblemished integrity. During his renowned political career he held various positions: Bolívar appointed him Governor of Mérida and later of Caracas; from then on he openly defended and disseminated the Bolivarian ideology.

“Within the framework of the Admirable Campaign, he proclaimed Simón Bolívar as the Liberator in the city of Mérida, ratifying this title in the city of Caracas on October 14, 1813. He was also president of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Department of Venezuela and mayor of Caracas, public offices where he imposed respect for his knowledge, probity and severity.”

Presidium of the Council session of Rafael Rangel, councilors, mayor and speaker.

The exile

Once again, in exile, life became more difficult for Cristóbal Mendoza, said the keynote speaker. “He lived in the Antilles with his family, where he was able to support himself in his profession. At that time, he stood out notably for his writings in the Correo del Orinoco, signing his various articles under the pseudonym -Un Patriota- and in the newspaper El Observador Caraqueño, where he published historical documents on the emancipatory revolution.

“His devotion to the service of the Republic and his civic spirit helped him face the adversities and internal political storms of the time; but despite this, he was always faithful to the Liberator; the country came first for him. In return for his friendship, Simón Bolívar said to him… I am the man who most admires and esteems you in the world; because you retain and take with you the model of virtue and useful goodness.”

The Remains of Cristóbal Mendoza to the Pantheon

Cristóbal Mendoza died on February 8, 1829 at the age of 56. His funeral and burial took place in the city of Caracas. In 1874, the President of the Republic, General Guzmán Blanco, ordered the transfer of his mortal remains to the National Pantheon of Venezuela. This mandate had not been considered, so historians, researchers, and chroniclers requested that the authorities comply with it, and Governor Gerardo Márquez was the one who paid attention to this clamor.

He appointed a high-level regional Commission for the transfer of the remains of the illustrious doctor Cristóbal Mendoza to the National Pantheon; “a commission that I have been part of, together with the citizens, Ubaldo García, Ali Medina, Jorge Antequera, Jonathan Gudiño, Benigno Contreras and Luis Alejandro Venegas, who fulfilled the functions inherent to our designation, developing and defining the guidelines to achieve this objective, periodically reporting progress to the State Executive, as the governing body of this vindicative action.

Certificate of recognition for the keynote speaker.

Work of the Commission

The work of this Commission contributed to the fact that on June 4 of this year, the Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, on a visit to the state of Trujillo, announced the transfer to the National Pantheon of the symbolic remains of Cristóbal Mendoza, in the same way On June 18, the National Assembly unanimously approved an Agreement granting the honors of the National Pantheon to Dr. José Cristóbal Mendoza y Montilla, an event that took place on June 23, the 252nd anniversary of this illustrious Trujillo native.

Cristóbal Mendoza, an upright magistrate, a skilled and honest lawyer, a statesman, an eloquent speaker and teacher, a prudent and upright man who fought for the freedom of Venezuela, is an example of a patriot who honors the people of Trujillo, said the keynote speaker at the end, who received a plaque of recognition and a diploma from the Betijoque Council for having been an exhibitor in its halls, this Wednesday, July 3 of this year.

In addition to the intervention of the President of the Council, Oswaldo Puche Franco, who thanked those present for having responded to the invitation, the local Mayor Sonia Silva also spoke, who also welcomed the keynote speaker Carlos Enrique Iglesias Martínez.

Young people from the Núcleo Betijoque Typical Orchestra performed several pieces from the local, regional and national music, including Betijoque, Carache and Venezuela, to which they offered prolonged applause.