Gutiérrez de la Fuente was born in the silver-mining town of Huantajaya, Tarapacá, Peru (now Chile), in 1796. He was an officer in the Spanish forces, before joining the rebellion for independence. Strong partisan of Simón Bolívar they supported the 1823 coup.
De la Fuente and Agustín Gamarra were made governors of southern States after Peruvian independence, with de la Fuente in charge of Arequipa. In 1826 they considered separating from Peru, but instead lead the movement to overthrow the government of José de La Mar with de la Fuente being named Vice President of Peru and taking the position of the President of the Republic until the General Agustín Gamarra succeeded him. Gutiérrez de la Fuente served as the Vice President of Peru from 1 September 1829 to 16 April 1831.[1]