Alonso de Cáceres facts for kids

Alonso de Cáceres y Retes was a Spanish explorer and leader. He was born in Alcántara, Spain, in the late 1400s. He traveled a lot across the Americas. His journeys took him from Mexico all the way south to Peru. He was a very active soldier during the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 1500s.

Alonso de Cáceres's Early Life and Travels

Alonso de Cáceres was the son of Gregorio and Maria Cáceres Retes. He grew up in the village of Alcántara. He received military training and fought in wars in Europe. By 1530, he was a captain. He worked under Governor Pedro de Heredia in southern Panama and northern Colombia. He helped start the city of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. Later, he explored areas in Panama and near the Colombian border.

Adventures in Colombia and Panama

During an expedition led by Pedro de Heredia, food became scarce. Cáceres was sent to find food for the soldiers. His soldiers were very hungry. They ate a lot of a fruit called guama. This fruit made them feel sick. Finding food was a common problem. Many soldiers died of hunger in the Cartagena area.

On October 21, 1534, Cáceres's group captured a place called Acla. They also took Julian Gutiérre and his wife, Isabel, as prisoners. Isabel was important because she spoke both Spanish and the local language. She helped the expedition by acting as an interpreter.

Exploring Central America

In 1536, Cáceres left the Colombia-Panama region. He moved to Central America. He joined Governor Francisco de Montejo. Montejo was in charge of conquering the Yucatan area. Cáceres was sent to the city of Gracias a Dios in Honduras. This city was a base for his explorations.

The people of Gracias a Dios did not trust him. They did not want him to stay. But Cáceres did not give up. He continued his mission. On December 8, 1537, he founded the city of Comayagua. This city became the first Spanish capital of what is now Honduras.

The Lenca Rebellion and Lempira

Local people called the Lencas fought back. Their leader was named Lempira. Lempira's forces attacked and burned the new settlement. Then they escaped to a mountain called Cerro Coyocutena. Lempira gathered about 30,000 native people. He planned a big revolt against the Spanish.

Cáceres sent two men to meet Lempira. They pretended to want peace talks. But they tricked Lempira and killed him. After Lempira's death, the native tribes' alliance broke apart. The rebellion failed. This helped the Spanish gain control of Honduras.

Journeys to Peru

Cáceres arrived in Jauja, Peru in 1539. He planned an expedition with another captain, Alonso Mercadillo. They wanted to explore the Chupacho territory. But they decided it was too risky. So, the expedition did not happen.

Cáceres continued his missions in 1544. He helped conquer the city of Cuzco. He learned that Gonzalo Pizarro was coming. So, he fled and went to live in Arequipa.

Helping the Viceroy

In Arequipa, Cáceres joined Jerónimo de la Serna. They moved to a place called Quilca. They planned to take two ships that Pizarro had bought. These ships were meant to carry weapons. Cáceres and Serna paid the sailors to help them. They sailed the ships to the port of Callao. They gave the ships to the viceroy, Blasco Núñez Vela.

The viceroy was later imprisoned. Pizarro took control of Lima. He was recognized as the Governor of Peru. Pizarro ordered Cáceres and others to be killed. But Cáceres was pardoned by Pizarro. Some important people helped him get the pardon.

Later, Pedro de la Gasca arrived in Peru. Many Spanish soldiers who had supported Gonzalo Pizarro changed sides. They decided to support La Gasca.

Alonso de Cáceres's Official Roles

Cáceres held important positions in the cities where he lived. In Santa Marta, Colombia, he served as an alderman. An alderman is like a city council member. In the Yucatan, he was a lieutenant for Francisco de Montejo. He acted as the main leader when Montejo was away. In Arequipa, Peru, he was appointed mayor. It is thought that he spent his final days there.

Alonso de Cáceres's Family

In Lima, Alonso de Cáceres married María de Solier y Valenzuela. They had a son named Diego de Cáceres. Diego later married María Mauricia de Ulloa y Angulo in 1581. They had a son named José de Cáceres y Ulloa. Alonso also had a daughter, Petronila de Cáceres and Solier. She married twice and her children later became important nobles.

See also

• In Spanish: Alonso de Cáceres para niños