Juan Francisco Urquidi

Juan Francisco Urquidi was an engineer who entered diplomacy through the Mexican Revolution. His son, the economist Víctor L. Urquidi, recalled that he graduated from MIT in 1906 and worked on Mexico City public works under Alberto Pani. He subsequently assisted Francisco Madero; his brother Manuel was treasurer of the Anti-Reelectionist Party. ¹

During the American intervention of 1914, on 20 April he warned Isidro Fabela of the House of Representatives' authorization to use force against Huerta and the movement of the American fleet. He carefully distinguished the language directed against Huerta from a declaration against Mexico. A second telegram reported Argentina, Brazil, and Chile's mediation offer, its American acceptance, and his earlier communication with Roberto Pesqueira. ²

He later joined Pani's mission in Paris and helped reopen Mexican representation in London. His subsequent posts took his family to Colombia, El Salvador, and Uruguay. Víctor recalled that in El Salvador, Urquidi received instructions to meet Augusto César Sandino and his staff and help protect them as they passed through on their way to Mexico. ¹