Juan N. Méndez

Juan Nepomuceno Laureano Méndez Sánchez (2 July 1824 – 29 November 1894) was a Mexican general, a Liberal politician and confidant of Porfirio Díaz, and interim president of the Republic for a few months during the Porfiriato. He served from 6 December 1876 until 17 February 1877.

Biography Before the presidency Born in Tetela de Ocampo in the Sierra Norte de Puebla, Méndez worked in commerce and livestock until 1847. In that year, he enlisted in the army to fight the United States in the Mexican–American War. He continued in the army after the war, and on 15 December 1854 he was named commander of a battalion in the Puebla National Guard. His unit adhered to the Plan of Ayutla in 1854 and took an active part in the War of the Reform, the War of the French Intervention and the war opposing Emperor Maximilian.

He defended Puebla against the rebels of Zacapoaxtla in January 1856 and fought the Conservatives in the mountains of Puebla and Tlaxcala in 1857. The same year, he was promoted to colonel of infantry. In 1858, he was made treasurer of the State of Puebla and prefect of the Department of Zacatlán.

He fought in the Battle of Puebla against the French on 5 May 1862 and took part in the defense of the city during the subsequent siege. On 27 July 1863, he was promoted to brigadier general. That year, he was also named governor and military commander of Puebla. where he served until his death in Mexico City in 1894. He left no property or money.

Personal life His wife was Trinidad González y Castruera.