13. Nicolás de Ovando
Nicolás de Ovando, born around 1460 in Castile, Spain, served as the governor of Hispaniola from 1502 to 1509. During his tenure, he implemented the encomienda system, granting Spanish settlers the right to extract labor and tribute from indigenous Taíno communities. This system led to the exploitation and significant decline of the Taíno population. Unlike other conquistadors focused on military conquest, Ovando’s approach emphasized administrative control and economic development. (britannica.com)
