Guerrero, Vicente, 1782-1831

President of Mexico, military leader. Born 1782 in Tixtla; died 1831 in Cuilapan. Guerrero began his military career in 1810. He was commissioned captain by José María Morelos before the attack on Taxco, was made colonel in 1814 by Juan Nepomuceno Rosains, and received the rank of general from Agustín de Iturbide. After Iturbide was removed as emperor, Guerrero was named General de División, and became a member of the Supremo Poder Ejecutivo which governed until 1824. Guerrero ascended to the presidency in April 1829. During his tenure a Spanish expedition attempted to reconquer Mexico. As a result, Guerrero organized a reserve army and placed his vice-president, Anastasio Bustamante, at its head. After the army defeated the invaders, the congress declared Guerrero unfit to govern and Bustamante became president. Guerrero left office on December 16, 1829, and initiated a counter-revolution which lasted through the year 1830. He was captured in January 1831, condemned to death by a council of war, and executed in Cuilapan on February 14, 1831.

President of Mexico, military leader. Born 1783 in Tixtla (now Ciudad Guerrero); died 1831 in Cuilapan. Guerrero began his military career in 1810. He was commissioned capitan by José María Morelos before the attack on Taxco, and became a lieutenant colonel in 1812.

Guerrero joined forces with Juan Nepomuceno Rosains (1814) to continue the fight for independence and was made colonel. After years of fighting against the royalists, in 1821 Guerrero formed an alliance with Iturbide, formerly an enemy, to pursue independence. Upon their success Guerrero received the rank of general and the Gran Cruz de la Orden de Guadalupe. After Iturbide was removed from power Guerrero was named General de División, and became a member of the Supremo Poder Ejecutivo which governed until the assumption of the presidency by Guadalupe Victoria in 1824.

Guerrero was also head of the Partido Yorkino, and was a candidate for the presidency of the Republic in 1828. Manuel Gómez Pedraza initially obtained a majority of votes, but the legislature reversed itself and declared Guerrero president. He took office in April 1829. During his presidency a Spanish expedition attempted to reconquer Mexico. As a result, Guerrero organized a reserve army, at whose head he placed his vice-president, Anastasio Bustamante. After the army defeated the invaders, the congress declared Guerrero unfit to govern and Bustamante became president.

Guerrero left office on December 16, 1829 and initiated a counter-revolution which lasted through the year 1830. Guerrero was captured in January 1831, condemned to death by a council of war, and executed in Cuilapan on February 14, 1831.