Don Juan O'Donojú

Juan O'Donojú was a Spanish lawyer and diplomat who played a key role during Mexico’s early independence period. In 1821, he became the last Spanish viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) and signed the Treaty of Córdoba, which recognized Mexico’s independence from Spain. Although his term was brief, O'Donojú’s diplomatic efforts helped facilitate Mexico’s transition to sovereignty, emphasizing coexistence and legal arrangements rather than conflict. His leadership marked the end of Spanish colonial rule and the beginning of Mexico as an independent nation.