After Emiliano Zapata's death, he and the other guerrillas threw their lot in with Álvaro Obregón and went on to become a minor but long-lasting figure in national politics.

De la O was made an infantry captain conducting guerrilla operations for Zapata in the northern part of Morelos.

Through 1911 and 1912, his division of the Liberation Army of the South operated in the area around Santa María and its neighboring towns, consistently beating back federalist forces.

General Ojeda tried to evacuate the town's supplies and equipment, but de la O exacted a heavy toll attacking the convoys.

Huerta faded from power and Venustiano Carranza took control, bringing extra troops to bear that turned the tide back against de la O.

Rather than seeing his cause and power expire along with Zapata, de la O and the other guerrilla generals, led by Gildardo Magaña, joined forces with the new revolutionary Álvaro Obregón.

He died in peace while in his hometown of Santa María Ahuacatitlán, a gentler and later death than the vast majority of his revolutionary counterparts.