<P> In European politics, the French intervention to Mexico reconciled the Second French Empire and the Austrian Empire, whom the French had defeated in the Franco--Austrian War of 1859 . French imperial expansion into Mexico counterbalanced the geopolitical power of the Protestant Christian U.S., by developing a powerful Catholic empire in Latin America, and the exploitation of the mineral wealth of the Mexican north - west . After much guerrilla warfare that continued after the Mexicans' Capture of Mexico City (1863)--the French Empire withdrew from Mexico and abandoned the Austrian emperor of Mexico; subsequently, the Mexicans executed Emperor Maximilian I, on 19 June 1867, and restored the Mexican Republic . </P> <P> The British, Spanish and French fleets arrived at Veracruz, between 8 and 17 December 1861 intending to pressure the Mexicans into settling their debts . The Spanish fleet seized San Juan de Ulúa and subsequently the capital Veracruz on 17 December . The European forces advanced to Orizaba, Cordoba and Tehuacán, as they had agreed in the Convention of Soledad . The city of Campeche surrendered to the French fleet on 27 February 1862, and a French army, commanded by General Lorencez, arrived on 5 March . When the Spanish and British realised the French ambition was to conquer Mexico, they withdrew their forces on 9 April, their troops leaving on 24 April . In May, the French man - of - war Bayonnaise blockaded Mazatlán for a few days . </P> <P> Mexican forces commanded by General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the French army in the Battle of Puebla on 5 May 1862 (commemorated by the Cinco de Mayo holiday). The pursuing Mexican army was contained by the French at Orizaba, Veracruz, on 14 June . More French troops arrived on 21 September, and General Bazaine arrived with French reinforcements on 16 October . The French occupied the port of Tampico on 23 October, and unopposed by Mexican forces took control of Xalapa, Veracruz on 12 December . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> The Battle of Puebla, 5 May 1862 </P> </Li> </Ul>

What did france do after the english and spanish left mexico