When news reached Arriving Cortés of the death of several of his men during the Aztec attack on the Totonacs in Veracruz , Cortes claims that he took Motecuhzoma captive .

Capturing Conquering the cacique or indigenous ruler was standard operating procedure for Spaniards in their expansion Expansion in the Caribbean , so capturing Conquering Motecuhzoma had considerable precedent but modern scholars are skeptical that Cortes and his countrymen took Conquering Motecuhzoma captive at this time .

Capturing Conquering the cacique or indigenous ruler was standard operating procedure for Spaniards in their expansion Expansion in the Caribbean , so capturing Conquering Motecuhzoma had considerable precedent but modern scholars are skeptical that Cortes and his countrymen took Conquering Motecuhzoma captive at this time .

They had great incentive to claim Statement they did , owing to the laws of Spain at this time , but critical analysis of their personal writings suggest Statement Motecuhzoma was not taken captive Conquering until a much later date .