Vicente Ramón Guerrero Saldaña was one of the leading revolutionary generals of the Mexican War of Independence. He fought against Spain for independence in the early 19th century, and later served as President of Mexico. He was of Afro-Mestizo descent, championed the cause of Mexico's common people, and abolished slavery on a national level during his brief term as president. His capture and treacherous execution in 1831 by the conservative and ex-royalist regime that had ousted him in 1829 was a shock to the nation.