Pedro de la Portilla was an 18th-century Criollo rebel in New Spain against the Spanish. He was the leader of the Conspiracy of the Machetes (Spanish: la conspiración de los machetes), an unsuccessful rebellion in 1799. Although the conspiracy posed no threat to Spanish rule, nevertheless it was a shock to the rulers. Coming only 11 years before the Grito de Dolores, it is considered in modern Mexico to be a forerunner of the Mexican War of Independence. See also Conspiracy of the Machetes References "Azanza, Miguel José de," Enciclopedia de México, v. 2. Mexico City: 1987. "Portilla, Pedro," Enciclopedia de México, v. 11. Mexico City: 1987. Orozco L., Fernando, Fechas Históricas de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1988, . Orozco Linares, Fernando, Gobernantes de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1985, . External links Castillo Guerra, Hernando, Diálogos en el Pantéon Liberal de México (p. 151) Colonial Mexico Mexican War of Independence 19th-century deaths Year of death missing Year of birth missing