Miguel Miramón flees Mexico after defeat

Background. Miguel Miramón served as a conservative general and president during the Reform War, disputing the presidency with Benito Juárez. The conflict began in 1857 over the Constitution. Conservatives initially gained victories, such as the Battle of Salamanca, but faced internal infighting. By 1860, liberal forces accumulated battlefield successes, leading to the surrender of conservative forces in December 1860.

Liberal Victories. Liberal forces under Benito Juárez gained momentum in 1860. After the Battle of Salamanca in 1858, Juárez retreated to Guadalajara. The McLane-Ocampo Treaty was signed in 1859 to secure U.S. support. In 1860, liberal armies captured Guadalajara on December 20, creating an unrestricted path to Mexico City. Conservative forces surrendered on December 22, 1860, ending the war.

Flight and Exile. Following the defeat, Miramón escaped the country and went into exile in Europe. He was received at the Spanish court on 2 December 1861. This departure followed the accumulation of liberal victories that ended the war in 1860, marking the end of his active service as president during the Reform War.