Agustín de Iturbide

1783 – 1824

Agustín de Iturbide was a Mexican royalist army officer who first fought against Mexican independence forces under José María Morelos and personally signed the execution orders for hundreds of insurgents, before switching sides in 1820 to negotiate the Plan of Iguala and unite the independence movement with the colonial elite. After leading the Army of the Three Guarantees into Mexico City in September 1821 he had himself proclaimed Emperor Agustín I in May 1822, dissolved the constituent congress that resisted him, and ruled by decree until a republican uprising forced his abdication in March 1823. Returning from European exile in July 1824, he was arrested on landing at Soto la Marina and executed by firing squad on July 19, 1824.

Last checked: May 10, 2026, 1:06 PM