Nuño de Guzmán, a notable Spanish conquistador, led an expedition into the Tarascan territory in present-day Mexico with the goal of expanding colonial authority and resources. Tangaxuan II, the last independent king of the Tarascans, had established a rule over a region known for its resistance against the Aztec Empire and, subsequently, against Spanish colonization. By 1530, the Spanish aimed to extend their dominion over the various indigenous nations, and Guzmán's forces viewed Tangaxuan II as a significant obstacle in their conquests.

Guzmán’s troops, equipped with superior weaponry and tactics, managed to defeat the Tarascan forces. Following Tangaxuan II’s capture, Guzmán orchestrated a public execution, a brutal demonstration of power intended to discourage any further resistance. This event not only stripped away management of the local territory but also served to instill fear in other indigenous communities, further asserting Spanish dominance.

The execution of Tangaxuan II symbolized the collapse of the Tarascan state's autonomy and paved the way for the establishment of Spanish colonial governance. The socio-political landscape of the region would subsequently change, leading to the imposition of Spanish crown authority and the introduction of colonial systems that affected local customs and economies.