He was a member of the Colorado Party (Uruguay), which ruled the country almost uninterruptedly for a century.

In November 1886, President Santos, with whom he had poor relations, stepped down from his second term of office.

He was succeeded as President by his Colorado Party (Uruguay) colleague Julio Herrera y Obes.

His residence, near Cerrillos and close to the banks of the Santa Lucia river, is situated on a location called Parrador Tajes.

A road in Carrasco, Montevideo, is named after Máximo Tajes.