Embrace of Acatempan between Iturbide and Guerrero

Background. In late 1820, Viceroy Apodaca sent Iturbide to defeat Guerrero's forces in southern Mexico. Iturbide had previously fought against insurgents but feared republicanism following Spain's liberal constitution. In January 1821, Iturbide initiated contact with Guerrero, indicating he was weighing abandoning the royalist cause. The military stalemate had continued until this alliance.

Reconciliation. Guerrero's terms were total independence and citizenship without caste distinction. Iturbide agreed to these terms, adding a Catholic establishment and constitutional monarchy, in the Plan of Iguala. The Embrace of Acatempan, named after the locale, was where they agreed to implement this plan. On 1 March 1821, Iturbide was proclaimed head of the Army of the Three Guarantees.

Outcome. The plan was made public on 24 February 1821 by Iturbide, Guerrero, and Guadalupe Victoria. Their combined troops formed the Ejército Trigarante. This alliance culminated in the entry into Mexico City on 27 September 1821, consummating independence. The Treaty of Córdoba recognized Mexican independence under the Plan of Iguala.