Pascual de Andagoya

Pascual de Andagoya, born in 1498 in the village of Andagoya, located in the picturesque valley of Cuartango in Álava, Spain, was a notable Spanish Basque conquistador and writer. At the tender age of nineteen, he embarked on an ambitious journey to the New World on April 11, 1514, under the command of Pedro Arias de Ávila. This expedition, which set sail with an army of over two thousand men aboard twenty-two ships, aimed to colonize Central America.

Andagoya's career took off in Panama, where he played a pivotal role in founding Panama City in 1519, alongside four hundred settlers. His explorations led him southward to the Colombian coast, eventually reaching San Juan, where he assumed the role of governor. It was during this time that he became aware of the vast Inca Empire, referred to as 'Birú' or 'Pirú', igniting his ambition for conquest.

In 1522, Andagoya made an attempt to conquer this rich territory, but his efforts ended in failure. As his health began to decline, he returned to Panama, where he shared tales of his discoveries, particularly the existence of a land abundant in gold and silver, known as Peru. His accounts inspired Francisco Pizarro, who, in 1524, organized an expedition with the aid of Andagoya's ships, alongside soldier Diego de Almagro and priest Hernando de Luque.

In recognition of his contributions, Carlos I appointed Andagoya as the Representative of the Indians in 1539, a position he held with fervent zeal. In 1540, he declared himself governor of Popayán, a role he maintained until 1542 when he was replaced by the legitimate governor Sebastián de Belalcázar under pressure. Pascual de Andagoya's life came to an end in Cuzco on July 18, 1548, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the early conquests of the New World.