Leona Vicario Marks 90 Years Since Name Change from Hacienda Santa María

Leona Vicario, Quintana Roo — The community of Leona Vicario celebrated the 90th anniversary of its name change from Hacienda Santa María during a special town hall session this week, honoring local contributors and reflecting on its historical identity.

Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz led the 25th Extraordinary Itinerant Town Hall Session in the main park of Leona Vicario, a delegation within the municipality of Puerto Morelos. The event marked the 1936 decree by then-President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río that renamed the community after Leona Vicario, a prominent figure in Mexico’s independence movement.

“This history leads me to reaffirm the current role of women in the work of the nation and government; the advancement of women in public life is directly related to the advancement of the well-being and social justice of the delegation, the municipality, the state, and the country,” Mayor Tziu Muñoz said.

She also acknowledged the work of Delegate Lucelly Benítez Arzápalo, council members, and two women making history in Mexican public life: Quintana Roo’s first female governor, Mara Lezama, and Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

“Let us honor the name of our delegation by working for it, respecting each other, and living in peace and harmony, within a framework of a culture of peace and social cohesion. Let’s take care of our home,” the mayor added.

During the session, officials presented awards to residents who have contributed to the community’s development, including:

• Roberto García Reyes, founder of Leona Vicario
• Ángel Gustavo González Cruz, for sports merit
• Teacher Aurora María Moguel Pool, for her educational career
• Juan Cahuich Pool, with an honorary recognition
• Olga Lucema Dellánez, for community management and work
• Juan Cahuich Can, for community service merit
• Attorney Eduardo Mahla Dzib, for community leadership
• Dr. Mayer Neptalí Castañeda Sánchez, for academic and educational excellence
• Olegario Concha, for community legacy
• Teacher Fanny del Carmen Cárdenas Cruz, for cultural and artistic merit

The celebration included a large commemorative cake shared among attendees, along with cochinita tacos as part of the community gathering. Historical photographs of the former Hacienda Santa María, now Leona Vicario, were displayed around the park’s kiosk.

Musical performances by Tony y sus teclados and La Rockola Internacional provided entertainment, while the local ejidal commission, along with First Councilor Rosario del Carmen Concha Naal and Sports Institute Director Renán Cruz, awarded prizes to winning teams from volleyball, soccer, softball, and basketball tournaments held as part of the anniversary activities.

The town hall session also approved modifications to the Internal Regulations of the Municipal President’s Office and the General Secretariat to strengthen the administrative functioning of the Puerto Morelos government.