Mexican general, born in the state of Guerrero, of an Indian family. By his courage and activity he obtained the surname of the “Panther of the South,” and established a feudal sovereignty in the southern provinces. Yet be retained to a considerable extent the primitive habits and dress of the Indians by whom he was surrounded. In 1854, when Santa Anna attempted to establish a dictatorship, Álvarez rose in insurrection and published a plan of constitutional government called the “Plan of Ayutla.” Other leaders followed his example, and Santa Anna, being defeated in the decisive battle of Saltillo, July 12, 1855, was obliged to fly from the country. In September a provisional government was organized with Álvarez at the head, and in October a national convention at Cuernavaca elected him president. He organized a national guard and summoned an assembly to meet in Mexico, February 14, 1856. For some time he hesitated to depart to the capital, having a superstitious fear that he would perish there. He entered it, however, November 15, 1855, surrounded by an Indian body-guard. His bold decree of November 24 abolished the excessive privileges of the army and the clergy. This was his only important act; within a month, tired of the restraints and the cares of the presidency, he resigned his power into the hands of Comonfort, who had been his minister of war. With a large amount of arms and ammunition, as well as money, he returned to Acapulco, the capital of his state, where he resumed his former mode of life. When Comonfort was driven out in 1858, Álvarez resisted his successor and gave his support to Juárez. He died at Acapulco.
