The two expeditions, totaling about 900 men, did not meet with any organized resistance. These expeditions met at Medano on the Gulf Coast near the Jesuit-founded Yaqui town of Potam.

The expeditions marched on Guaymas and Cócorit, both of which lay in the heart of Yaqui territory. In 1867 Governor Pesqueira of Sonora organized two military expeditions against the Yaquis under the command of General Jesus Garcia Morales. These measures were ineffective in dealing with the growing unrest among the Yaqui and Opatas. In addition, hacienda owners were required to make up lists of all employees, including a notation for those who were suspected of taking part in rebellious activity against the civil government. These orders called for the execution of rebel leaders. Governor Ignacio Pesqueira of Sonora drew up a list of preventative measures to be used against the Yaquis, Opatas and their allies. But when General José Urrea took power in 1841, he oversaw the division of Yaqui lands from communal plots into private plots. They would align themselves with the Centralists or Conservatives as long as those groups protected their lands from being encroached upon. After the death of Banderas, the Yaqui Indians attempted to forge alliances with anyone who promised them land and autonomy. In 1852, the Comanches made daring raids into Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Durango and even Tepic in Jalisco, some 700 miles south of the United States-Mexican border. Between 18, Mexico filed 366 separate claims for Comanche and Apache raids originating from north of the American border.Ī government report from 1849 claimed that twenty-six mines, thirty haciendas, and ninety ranches in Sonora had been abandoned or depopulated between 18 because of Apache depredations. In the following year, Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango reestablished bounties for Comanche scalps. However, almost immediately Mexico violated the peace treaty and the Comanches resumed their raids in Texas and Chihuahua. In 1834, Mexico signed its third peace treaty with the Comanches of Texas. Others undertook low-level raiding.Ĭonfrontations with Comanches - Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango (1834-1853). Some, during periods of food shortage, would take up 'peaceful' residence outside the presidios, to ask for rations. The Yaqui people, after the capture and execution of Banderas, subsided into a tense, uneasy existence. A month later, in January 1833, Banderas was executed, along with eleven other Yaqui, Mayo and Opata leaders who had helped foment rebellion in Sonora. The captive was turned over to the authorities and put on trial. Finally, in December 1832, volunteers tracked down and captured Banderas. However, the Mexican army continued to meet the indigenous forces in battle, gradually reducing their numbers.

Together, the Opatas and Yaquis were able to field an army of almost 2,500 warriors, staging repeated raids against haciendas, mines and towns in Sonora. By early 1832, Banderas had formed an alliance with the Opatas. In exchange for his 'surrender,' Banderas was made the Captain-General of the Yaqui Militia. With a following of 2,000 warriors, Banderas carried out several raids.īut eventually, Banderas made an arrangement with the Government of Sonora. Once again, the Mayo Indians joined their Yaqui neighbors in opposing the central authorities. Linda Zoontjens, the author of A Brief History of the Yaqui and Their Land, referred to Juan de la Cruz Banderas as a 'revolutionary visionary' whosemission was to establish an Indian military confederation. During this time, there appeared a new Yaqui leader. After Mexico gained independence in 1822, the Yaquis became citizens of a new nation. Yaqui, Mayo and Opata Rebellions of 1825-1833.

Bobok frog yaqui tribe