Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar (1465 – c. June 12, 1524) was a Spanish conquistador and the first governor of Cuba. In 1511 he led the successful conquest and colonization of Cuba. As the first governor of the island, he established several municipalities that remain important to this day and positioned Cuba as a center of trade and a staging point for expeditions of conquest elsewhere. From Cuba, he chartered important expeditions that led to the Spanish discovery and conquest of the Aztec Empire.

For the Spanish painter, see Diego Velázquez.
Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar
1st Governor of Cuba
In office
November 1511 – June 1524
MonarchsJoanna I and Charles I
Succeeded byJuan Altamirano
Personal details
Born1465 (1465)
Cuéllar, Segovia, Crown of Castile
Diedc. June 12, 1524 (aged 58–59)
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, New Spain
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