Guzmán and his force of several thousand…
February 1530 CE
Guzmán and his force of several thousand men, in search for new populations to subdue, arrives in the Tarascan state, which largely coincides with the modern state of Michoacán, and finds that the de facto ruler of is still Tangáxuan II.
Tangáxuan II, after hearing about the fall of the Aztec Empire, had sent emissaries to the Spanish victors.
A few Spaniards had gone with them to Tzintzuntzan, where they were presented to the ruler and gifts were exchanged.
The samples of gold they carried back had awakened Cortés' interest in the Tarascan state.
A Spanish force under the leadership of Cristobal de Olid had been sent into Tarascan territory in 1522 and arrived at Tzintzuntzan within days.
The Tarascan army numbered many thousands, perhaps as many as one hundred thousand, but at the crucial moment they chose not to fight.
Tangáxuan had submitted to the Spanish administration, but for his cooperation is allowed a large degree of autonomy.
This has resulted in a strange arrangement for the past several years in which both Cortés and Tangáxuan consider themselves rulers of Michoacán: the population of the area pays tribute to them both.
Tangáxuan gives Guzmán presents of gold and silver and supplies him with soldiers and provisions.
Nevertheless, Guzmán allies himself with a Tarascan noble, Don Pedro Panza Cuinierángari, against the Cazonci.
Guzmán has him arrested on charges of plotting a rebellion, withholding tribute, sodomy and heresy.
He is tortured in order that he reveal the location of hidden stores of gold.
Presumably there is no more gold, as Tangáxuan does not reveal its whereabouts under torture.
Guzmán has him dragged by a horse, then burned alive.
His ashes are thrown into the Lerma river, and a period of violence and turbulence begins.
Tarascan puppet rulers will be installed by the Spanish government in the ensuing decades.