500 years ago, Cuauhtémoc, the last tlatoani of Mexico-Tenochtitlán, was executed by the Spanish conquerors after leading the resistance against colonization. In commemoration of this event, President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to hold a tribute in the capital's Zócalo, where important moments of Cuauhtémoc's life will be reenacted.
Cuauhtémoc, whose name means 'descending eagle', was a military leader who ascended to the throne in 1520 due to his royal lineage, being a cousin of Moctezuma and Cuitláhuac. At 25 years old, he possessed military skills that allowed him to protect and reinforce Tenochtitlán by facing the Spanish in battle.
During his reign, Cuauhtémoc defended the city by improving its infrastructure and providing weapons and food to his people. He sought unity with rivals such as the Tarascans and Tlaxcalans to confront the Spanish conquerors, rejecting Hernán Cortés' offers of surrender.
Captured by the Spanish after the fall of Mexico-Tenochtitlán in 1521, Cuauhtémoc preferred to die rather than be captured. He was tortured to reveal the location of treasures but refused to do so. Ultimately, he was sentenced to the gallows on February 28, 1521, for alleged rebellion against the conquerors.
