Around the end of March 1519, Hernán Cortés landed with a Spanish conquistador force at Potonchán on the coast of modern-day Mexico. Cortés had been commissioned by Governor Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar of Spanish-controlled Cuba to lead an expedition in the area, which was dominated by the Aztec Empire. Through a combination of raw force and political maneuvering, Cortés was able to secure the allegiance of the Totonacs and the Tlaxcaltec (subjugated enemies of the Aztec empire) during his advance on the Empire's main settlement, Tenochtitlan. In November, a Spanish force entered the city, and was greeted by its ruler, Moctezuma II. Initially, the conquistadors were treated well by the Aztecs whilst they stayed in the city, but increasing tension by the end of June 1520 led to the forced ex