GUERRERO, VICENTE ( 1782-1831). A Mexi can revolutionary leader. He was born at Tixtla, and spent his youth upon a farm. In October, 1810, he joined the Revolutionary army under Morelos, and distinguished himself by his energy and valor. In 1818, when all opposition to the Spanish power seemed extinct, he_won two victo ries over the Viceregal troops, and reorganized the republican movement. He became the recognized head of the Independents, and established himself in the south, but was induced by lturbide, in Janu ary, 1821, to join in the Plan de Iguala, by which Mexico was to become independent under a king of the Spanish royal family. Iturbide's assump tion of the Imperial title alienated Guerrero, who became the leader of the opposition, and was in command at the battle of Almolonga, in January, 1823, in which he was severely wounded. When Iturbide left the country, Guerrero was made a member of the Executive Council of four, but his lack of education and his inexperience in politics prevented his exercising much in fluence in the Government. From 1824 to 1828 he was Vice-President of the Republic. He was
a candidate for the Presidency in 1828, and was defeated. Thereupon his partisans rose in revolt, and succeeded in forcing the legally elected can didate (Pedraza) to leave the country. The Congress elected Guerrero to the vacant office (March, 1829). The most important measure of his administration was the decree abolishing slavery (September 15, 1829). The Spanish in vasion of that year was repelled with ease, but the extraordinary powers conferred upon the President afforded a pretense for the formation of a revolutionary coalition, under the veteran intriguer Bustamente. Revolution broke out in December, and gained ground with great rapidity. Bustamente assumed the office of President. Guerrero fled to the south, and with Acapulco for a base of operations kept up the defensive until January, 1831, when he was betrayed into the hands of his enemies by a Genoese shipping captain. He was shot on February 14, 1831, after a brief military trial.