The remains of Porfirio Díaz Mori remain interred in Paris's Montparname Cemetery due to the stance of his descendants, who are avoiding an official repatriation request to protect the former president's legacy from partisan interests.
According to a report by elfinanciero.com.mx, the family of the historical Mexican figure believes that bringing the remains back to the country could be exploited for political purposes. Gabriela Bernal Pfennich, Díaz's great-great-granddaughter, explained that the family is proceeding with caution.
Bernal Pfennich detailed that statements from recent administrations have led to acts of vandalism against the grave in France. In a video shared on social media, she expressed that current negative propaganda has created a sense of insecurity regarding the monument.
“The truth is that, many times, the negative propaganda used by current governments against the image of Porfirio Díaz has made us feel that the tomb is not entirely safe, even in Paris,” Bernal Pfennich stated, according to El Financiero.
The cost of overseas maintenance
Despite the lack of a state-led initiative, members of the Descendants Association are personally assuming the financial responsibility for the grave. Family members pay the necessary fees to ensure the site remains maintained in the French cemetery, even following incidents of vandalism.
Nevertheless, the former president's great-great-granddaughter expressed moderate optimism regarding the future perception of her ancestor's historical legacy. She maintains that the view of the Porfiriato era is shifting toward a more balanced perspective.
“I do believe the image of Porfirio Díaz is changing; I believe things are becoming more fair, and I believe we will reach that point eventually. I hope they stop associating him with political parties and politics,” Bernal Pfennich said.
In a similar vein, Ignacio Díaz Bossero, great-grandson of the former president, indicated that the family has chosen to remain neutral regarding official requests. He noted that the final decision regarding the return should rest with the Mexican government and its people.
The debate over the return of the remains has legislative precedent. In 2015, then-deputy Samuel Gurrión Matías proposed an initiative for the State to handle the procedures to bring the remains to Oaxaca, characterizing Díaz as a figure stripped of his historical significance.
More recently, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador voiced support for the measure. On January 17, 2024, the president declared: “Let all those who died abroad return.”
Despite these exhortations and proposals, Porfirio Díaz's remains continue to rest on French soil, awaiting a consensus that his heirs do not yet believe is achievable.
