Pedro Lascuráin holds one of the most unusual records in political history, having served as Mexico’s president for approximately 45 minutes in 1913.
Lascuráin, a former mayor of Mexico City and foreign minister under President Francisco I. Madero, assumed office on February 19, 1913, after Madero and Vice President José María Pino Suárez were forced to resign during a military coup.
Pedro Lascuráin died on July 21, 1952. PHOTO/Cronicas de la Cienega
The brief presidency was part of General Victoriano Huerta’s plan to seize power. Under Mexico’s succession rules at the time, Lascuráin was next in line to the presidency.
After taking office, Lascuráin appointed Huerta to his cabinet, placing the general next in line for the presidency. Lascuráin then resigned roughly 45 minutes later, allowing Huerta to assume power.
Madero and Suárez were later killed, while Huerta remained president until 1914, when a rebellion forced him into exile.
The extraordinary events meant that Mexico technically had three presidents in office on February 19, 1913 - Madero, Lascuráin and Huerta - making it one of the shortest and most dramatic presidential transitions in history.