Gustavo Díaz Ordaz

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Lore & Background

Gustavo Díaz Ordaz was born on 12 March 1911 in San Andrés Chalchicomula, Puebla. He obtained a law degree from the University of Puebla on 8 February 1937, where he later became vice-rector from 1940 to 1941. He represented Puebla's 1st district in the Chamber of Deputies from 1943 to 1946, then served as a senator for the same state from 1946 to 1952, becoming closely acquainted with then-senator Adolfo López Mateos. He was a CIA asset, known by the cryptonym LITEMPO-2. Díaz Ordaz joined the campaign of Adolfo Ruiz Cortines for the 1952 election and later worked for the Secretariat of the Interior under Ángel Carvajal Bernal. He became secretary following López Mateos' victory in the 1958 election, and exercised de facto executive power during the president's absences, particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis. On 18 November 1963, the PRI announced him as the presidential candidate for the 1964 election; he won with 88.81% of the popular vote. His presidency saw the creation of the Mexican Institute of Petroleum in 1965 and the completion of Mexico City Metro Line 1, which he inaugurated on 4 September 1969 as its first passenger. His administration is mostly remembered for the 1968 student protests and their repression by the Army and State forces during the Tlatelolco massacre, in which hundreds of unarmed protesters were killed. He also hosted the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1970 FIFA World Cup. After passing the presidency to his Secretary of the Interior Luis Echeverría, Díaz Ordaz retired from public life. He briefly served as Ambassador to Spain in 1977, resigning after strong protests and criticism by the media. He died of colorectal cancer on 15 July 1979 at the age of 68.

Reader's Guide

Gustavo Díaz Ordaz's presidency is a study in contrasts: his tenure coincided with the Mexican Miracle, a period of high economic growth with national GDP maintaining growth between 6 and 8% and inflation at 2.7%. Major projects included the expansion of petrochemicals and electrical service, creation of the Mexican Petroleum Institute, eight refinery plants, dams, communications towers, eight airports, and a major highway network. Yet his authoritarian rule and the violent suppression of the 1968 student movement, culminating in the Tlatelolco massacre on 2 October 1968, have made him one of the most unpopular and controversial modern Mexican presidents. The massacre, in which hundreds of unarmed protesters were killed by Army and State forces, cast a long shadow over his legacy. His decision to host the 1968 Olympics and 1970 World Cup while cracking down on dissent highlighted the tension between Mexico's international ambitions and domestic repression. Despite economic achievements, his reputation remains deeply tarnished, and the repression would continue into the presidencies of his successors.

Did You Know?

• Díaz Ordaz was a CIA asset, known by the cryptonym LITEMPO-2.
• He was the first passenger of the Mexico City Metro, inaugurating Line 1 on 4 September 1969.
• The comedian Chespirito (Roberto Gómez Bolaños) was his first cousin once removed.
• His mother would freely say to anyone, 'But what an ugly son I have!'
• He claimed ancestry with conqueror-chronicler Bernal Díaz del Castillo.