Ojeda, Alonso De

Ojeda, Alonso de (älōn`sō thā ōhā`thä), c.1466–1515?, Spanish conquistador. He joined Columbus on his second voyage and in 1499—at first accompanied by Vespucci—explored the northeastern coast of South America. In 1508 he was made governor of territories of N South America. Near present Cartagena he was defeated by the Native Americans and virtually rescued by Diego de Nicuesa. Again he had trouble with the Native Americans and, leaving his men under the command of Francisco Pizarro, sought aid in Hispaniola. He reached Cuba, but his actions after arrival are obscure. His men abandoned the colony and were picked up not far from Cartagena by Enciso.

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Ojeda, Alonso De 

Born 1468 (?), in Cuenca; died circa 1516, in Santo Domingo. Spanish navigator and conquistador.

Between 1493 and 1495, Ojeda took part in C. Columbus’ second expedition. In 1499–1500, accompanied by A. Vespucci, he led an expedition which explored the coast of Guiana from 54° to 60° W long., the coast of Venezuela from 66° to 72° W long., and a number of islands, including Curaçao. In 1502, Ojeda again explored the Caribbean coast of Venezuela. Between 1508 and 1510 he retraced the northern coast of Colombia, where he established a fortress, thus laying the foundation for the Spanish colonization of South America.

REFERENCE

Magidovich, I. P. Ocherki po istorii geograficheskikh otkrytii [3rd ed.]. Moscow, 1967.