The Historical Legacy Of Lázaro Cárdenas In Puerto Vallarta

Lázaro Cárdenas was a president of the Mexican Republic who governed the country from 1934 to 1940. During that time, Puerto Vallarta had six mayors in only six years. These include:

• Cristóbal Ruelas
• Vicente Palacios
• Gilberto González
• J. De Jesús Rodríguez
• J. De Jesús Palacios
• Rodolfo Gómez Sánchez

The country's political context was shaped in an era of transition from a post-revolutionary, armed Mexico to an institutionalized one. However, what truly marked this period of change was the new agrarian reorganization through the creation of ejidos. The first ejido in the municipality was Ejido Puerto Vallarta, established in 1936. During the same year, ejidos like Las Palmas, Ixtapa, and Coapinole were also formed. It was a time when Mexican citizens felt that there was finally a leader providing social justice to the people. The agrarian issue became a crucial driver for the Vallartan community, as land donations supported important causes such as public health, schools, parks, gardens, and cemeteries.

This is why the image of President Lázaro Cárdenas represented a symbol of social justice for the Mexican people and consequently embodied the cultural identity of the neighborhood and its development. Today, the statue of Lázaro Cárdenas watches over the park that bears his name—a park that serves as a hub of international culture, as notable foreign artists have visited the space to contribute their art or simply revel in its great beauty and cultural richness.