Agustin de Iturbide

Agustín de Iturbide was a Mexican caudillo (military chieftain) who became the leader of the conservative factions in the Mexican independence movement and, as Agustín I, briefly emperor of Mexico. He entered the royalist army in 1797 and fought against the insurgents led by Miguel Hidalgo and José María Morelos. He later changed sides and joined forces with Vicente Guerrero, a radical insurgent leader, under the Plan of Iguala, which proclaimed the independence of Mexico from Spain in 1821. He became the president of the Regency and then the emperor of Mexico, reigning from 19 May 1822 to 19 March 1823, when he abdicated due to popular discontent and political opposition. He went into exile in Europe, but returned to Mexico in 1824, hoping to participate in the politics of the newly established republic. He was arrested and executed by the republican government.