Banderas came to the leadership of the Yaqui when they opened war against Occidente State due to opposition to threats of taxation and ending of their sovereignty.
Banderas was able to convince the Mayos, Opatas and Pimas to join in the war against the Mexicans.
In 1827 Banderas' forces suffered defeat due to using primarily bows and arrows against the Mexicans guns.
Banderas then negotiated a peace in which he was pardoned and made the captain-general of the Yaqui towns.
His force of 1,000 including Opatas under the command of Dolores Gutiérrez was defeated near Buenavista in 1833.