The Constitutions of Coahuila: 200 years of history

Abstract

This article discusses the evolution of the constitutions of the State of Coahuila, since its founding 200 years ago, when the State of Coahuila and Texas was established. We analyze the first fundamental documents until the constitutional reform of 2022. We start with the first Constitution of 1827, which gave origin to the constitutionalism of the entity; followed by the Constitution of 1852, that reorganized the territory; and the Constitution of 1857, when the state was unified with Nuevo León. Also, the 1869 constitution is studied in the context of the recovery of national sovereignty after the French intervention. In addition, we analyze the Constitution of 1882, when the political structures of the country became more stable. Furthermore, the gestation of the current Constitution –through the reform project of 1913– is discussed, as well as its institutional evolution, to strengthen local constitutionalism until the issuance of the Bills of Rights, as unique texts in the country, and with supreme status for the entity, as a sign of political commitment with the protection of human rights.