Pedro Linares López: The Man Who Turned Down A Presidential Offer

Imagine being offered a one-time decision that would change your life forever. Pedro Linares López once faced this dilemma when asked to be the Minister of Defense of Ecuador. He turned down the offer due to his family and his love for his country, but it wasn’t easy.

Introduction

Pedro Linares López was born in Mexico City in 1922. He was a self-taught artist who began making paper-mâché animals when he was just a boy. In the early 1950s, he started working with Luis Sánchez Cocom, another Mexican folk artist, to create paper-mâché alebrijes. Alebrijes are brightly colored fantastical creatures synonymous with Mexican Folk Art.

Linares Lopez’s alebrijes were so popular that he began receiving commissions from people all over Mexico. In 1968, he even had the opportunity to exhibit his work at the Louvre in Paris. But a commission from Mexican President Luis Echeverría Álvarez in 1976 would solidify his place in Mexican folklore.

The president commissioned Linares Lopez to create an alebrije for his wife as a gift. The resulting sculpture was a beautiful white dove with colorful tail feathers. The president was so impressed with the piece that he offered Linares Lopez a position as the Official Alebrije Sculptor of Mexico, an offer which the humble artist politely declined.

Linares Lopez continued to create his Hebrides until he died in 1992. His work has been exhibited worldwide and has inspired countless other folk artists. Today, his son, Pedro Linares Jr.,

Background of Pedro Linares López

Linares was born in Mexico City in 1919 to a family of artisans. His father was a wood carver, and his mother was a potter. Linares showed an early interest in art, and he began working in his parents’ workshop when he was just a boy. He quickly developed into a skilled craftsman, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already creating works of art sold in shops across Mexico City.

Linares’ talent caught the eye of Diego Rivera, one of Mexico’s most famous artists. Rivera invited Linares to work on a mural with him, and the young man soon became part of Rivera’s inner circle. Linares went on to work with some of Mexico’s other leading artists, including Jose Clemente Orozco and Rufino Tamayo.

In the early 1940s, Linares had the opportunity to travel to the United States, where he worked on murals for the New York World’s Fair. He also spent time in Europe, where he studied at the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy.

When he returned to Mexico, Linares began working on large-scale public art projects. He designed several well-known monuments, including the Monumento a la Revolución in Mexico City and the Cenotaph for Benito Juárez in Oaxaca. He also created many more minor works.

The presidential offer and why Pedro turned it down

In May 2018, Pedro Linares López was approached by the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, with an offer to join his cabinet. Linares, a well-respected businessman, and philanthropist was shocked. He had never been involved in politics and had no desire to be. After much thought and deliberation, Linares decided to decline the offer.

It was a difficult decision, but Linares felt it was right for himself and his country. He did not want to get involved in politics; he just wanted to help people. And he believed that by declining the offer, he could send a message to other Nicaraguans that it was okay to say no to Ortega.

Linares has become somewhat of a symbol of hope for many Nicaraguans opposed to Ortega’s regime. He is living proof that it is possible to stand up to Ortega and live to tell about it.

Reasons behind the decision to turn it down

In an interview with the Mexican newspaper El Universal, Pedro Linares López revealed why he decided to turn down a presidential offer. Linares López, currently the head of Mexico’s National Autonomous University (UNAM). Said he was approached by representatives of President Enrique Peña Nieto’s party and asked to be the ruling party’s candidate in next year’s presidential election.

Linares López said that he was flattered by the offer but ultimately decided against. It because he did not want to get involved in partisan politics. “I’m not interested in being a political candidate,” he said. “I don’t think it would be good for me or for UNAM.”

Linares López added that he has no desire to become president and does not think he would be a good fit for the job. “I’m not cut out for that kind of work,” he said. “I’m an academic, not a politician.”

Conclusion

It is truly inspiring to see someone like Pedro Linares López, who has been through so much in his life and has come out stronger for it. He is a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to stand up for himself, even against those in positions of power. We can all learn from his example and use our own experiences to shape our lives positively.