overthrew the moderado Mariano Arista. Santa Anna arrived in Veracruz on 1 April 1853, and he took office upon reaching Mexico City on 20 April.

Upon taking office yet again, Santa Anna took measures to improve the army, hoping to create a standing army of 90,000 men. However, due to the unpopularity of the draft and the low quality of the troops who were recruited, Santa Anna lowered his goal to 46,000 troops. Mexican Liberals whom Santa Anna considered threats,