Jesús González Ortega

Jesús González Ortega (Valparaíso, Zacatecas, January 20, 1822 - Saltillo, Coahuila, February 28, 1881) was a Mexican soldier and politician; governor of Zacatecas who was a notable ally of President Benito Juárez during the War of Reform and during the French intervention in Mexico. He is notable for defending the city of Puebla from the French army March 16, 1863, to May 16, 1863.

During the French Intervention he had a falling out with Juarez, due to the fact that in 1865, the presidency was constitutionally supposed to pass to Gonzales Ortega, but Juarez held on to power due to the extraordinary circumstances, a situation that was accepted by most of the liberal party. He continued to champion his claim to the presidency, leading to his arrest in 1867 and shortly afterward, his supporter José María Patoni was kidnapped and murdered by General Benigno Canto, leading to rumors and an allegation from Canto himself that he was acting upon orders from Minister of War Ignacio Mejía, an accusation which the government vehemently denied. González Ortega gave up his claim, was pardoned the year afterward and no longer played any role in public life. He died in 1881.