Tucson, Arizona: Pancho Villa, U.S. Invader

Gift from Mexico, only statue in the U.S. to what now might be branded as an international terrorist. Pancho Villa and his band of vigilantes launched murderous raids into the USA in 1916. A whole army chased but never caught him.

Address:: S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ
Directions:: Downtown. In a little park on the southbound side of S. Church Ave. between W. Congress St. and W. Broadway Blvd. The stepped skyscraper on the opposite side of S. Church Ave. provides a visual landmark.
Admission:: Free

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Pancho Villa statue.

Pancho Villa Statue

Nice downtown park.

[Rob Lively, 02/27/2021]

The statue of Pancho Villa -- who invaded the USA and killed Americans in 1916 -- has been a controversial presence in Tucson ever since it was donated by Mexico's President in 1981. Its official title, "In Friendship," seems a bit snarky.

Pancho Villa.

Pancho Villa, U.S. Invader

In the middle of Alvarado Park, the statue of Pancho Villa sits atop his horse. The statue was a gift to the US from Mexico in 1981. The park would be a nice place to take a picnic.

[Karren, 04/06/2016]

The heroic statue of General Francisco "Pancho" Villa on horseback was a 1981 gift to the U.S. from the government of Mexico. Villa was a larger-than-life character; though his forces invaded American soil and killed citizens, he was romanticized in the media and is remembered as an important revolutionary figure. He appeared in Hollywood movies playing himself.