He participated in Spanish military campaigns in Italy, the Falklands, Algiers, and in the blockade of Gibraltar under General Martín Alvarez. Gutiérrez also served as Commander of the island of Minorca. He was named Commander-General of the Canary Islands in 1791, and assumed this position on January 31, 1791; his predecessor in the position had been the Marquis of Branciforte. As a result of this victory, Gutiérrez was granted the Encomienda of Esparragal in the Order of Alcántara (a system of endowments) by Charles IV of Spain.