Diego de Mazariegos

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is de Mazariegos and the second or maternal family name is Porres.

For the colonial governor of Cuba and Venezuela, see Diego de Mazariegos Guadalfajara.

Diego de Mazariegos y Porres was a Spanish conquistador. He conquered Chiapas in Mexico, and in 1528, together with Andrés de la Tovilla, founded San Cristóbal de las Casas (as Villa Real de Chiapa de los Españoles) and Chiapa de Corzo (as Villa Real de Chiapa de los Indios). He was the first Lieutenant Governor of Chiapas from 1528 to 1529.

Diego de Mazariegos

Statue of conquistador Diego de Mazariegos being toppled on October 12, 1992 in San Cristobal de Las Casas

The statue of de Mazariegos in San Cristóbal was torn down by Mayan anti-colonial activists on October 12, 1992, Columbus Day. This and other acts of protest by indigenous peoples across the Americas were in response to the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

See also

• Spanish conquest of Chiapas