Cuauhtémoc was the last huey tlatoani of the Aztec Empire, leading his people during the devastating Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan, which culminated in 1521. After the fall of the Aztec capital, he was captured but continued to inspire resistance among the surviving indigenous population. Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador responsible for the conquest, initially sought to maintain a façade of benevolence towards Cuauhtémoc, even appointing him as a puppet leader in the hopes of pacifying the local populace. However, as unrest grew among the indigenous people and their desire for revenge mounted, Cortés perceived Cuauhtémoc as a significant threat. On February 28, 1525, under suspicions that Cuauhtémoc was conspiring against him, Hernán Cortés ordered his execution. Cuauhtémoc was subjected to torture before his execution, showcasing the Spaniards' brutal methods of suppressing resistance. This marked a significant moment in the Spanish colonization process, as Cuauhtémoc had personified the fight against the Spanish invaders and his death signaled the definitive subjugation of the Aztec Empire. His execution served both as a warning to other indigenous leaders and as a grim reminder of the cost of colonial dominance.