Margarita Neri: the Rebel Queen of Morelos

 

Margarita Neri, known as the Rebel Queen of Morelos, was a Zapatista commander and a member of the rebel forces during the Mexican Revolution of 1910. She was of Maya, Dutch, and, above all, Afro-Mexican descent. This is mainly because Margarita Neri is believed to have come from Costa Chica in Guerrero, a region well known for its predominantly Afro-Mexican population.

She was one of the best-known female leaders of the Revolution, commanding around 1,000 rebel and Zapatista soldiers. Her area of operations was Tabasco and Chiapas. In an article published by the legendary newspaper *Regeneración* (08/19/1911), the Mexican anarchist Ricardo Flores Magón reported on a battle in which Neri was wounded:

> The State of Morelos, neighboring the Federal District, according to reports appearing in today's newspapers, August 18, is in armed rebellion, with the exception of Cuernavaca [...]. Yesterday, the 17th, federal forces attacked Yautepec [...]. Among the leaders of the heroic defense of Yautepec were the young revolutionaries Margarita Neri and Esperanza Chavarría. The battle lasted all day [...]. The revolutionaries lost 19 men. The federal troops lost more than one hundred. The young revolutionary Neri was wounded in one arm. — *REGENERACIÓN*, 08/19/1911

Margarita Neri's activism challenged traditional gender norms, highlighting the leading role of women in revolutionary movements. The Mexican Revolution was driven by profound social and economic inequalities that particularly affected Indigenous and rural communities. Emiliano Zapata, Magón, and others advocated for agrarian reform and the rights of the peasantry, gaining widespread support in regions such as Morelos.

Margarita Neri joined Zapata's cause, defending agrarian justice and Indigenous sovereignty. Contemporary accounts describe her as an imposing figure on horseback, armed and dressed for battle, inspiring respect and loyalty among her male comrades. Her status as a female commander helped reshape public perceptions of women's capacity for leadership, courage, and political vision during a crucial moment in Mexican history.

There are several stories about Margarita Neri. One claims that she always expressed the desire to personally behead the dictator Porfirio Díaz. Others state that Neri was particularly ruthless toward her enemies, even going so far as to mutilate them. Still others argue that such stories were merely intended to discredit the ideals of the Mexican Revolution.

Although historical records about her life are scarce, Margarita Neri remains a symbol of revolutionary resistance and feminist courage in the history of Latin America. Her legacy lives on in modern narratives about the Mexican Revolution, particularly in literature, the libertarian feminist movement, and popular movements that honor the roles of Indigenous peoples and women in shaping history.