Bustamante, Anastasio [key], 1780–1853, Mexican general and president (1830–32, 1837–41). He served in the royalist army against Hidalgo y Costilla and Morelos y Pavón, but his adherence to the Plan of Iguala in support of Agustín de Iturbide was a decisive factor in the latter's success. Vice president under Guerrero, he engineered a successful revolution (1829–30) with the aid of Santa Anna. At Bustamante's order Guerrero was captured and shot, but Bustamante in turn fell from power when Santa Anna seized the government (1832). When Santa Anna's failure to crush the Texas revolution temporarily weakened his political hold, Bustamante returned from exile in France and was again president. His regime was reactionary and was plagued by revolution, by trouble with the French, by the blockade of Veracruz (1838), and especially by Santa Anna, who had recovered popularity. Seizing control, Santa Anna forced Bustamante again into exile. Bustamante returned to serve in the Mexican War.
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