The victory of the Spanish over the…
1511 CE
The victory of the Spanish over the natives and the founding of Santa María la Antigua del Darién, now located in a relatively calm region, has earned Balboa authority and respect among his companions.
They are increasingly hostile toward Alcalde Mayor Fernández de Enciso, whom they consider a greedy despot because of the restrictions he has imposed on their appropriation of the natives' gold.
Balboa takes advantage of the situation, acting as the spokesman for the disgruntled settlers.
He removes Fernández de Enciso from the position of alcalde mayor, using the following legal maneuver: Enciso is now controlling an area in Veragua, to the west of the Gulf of Urabá; since he is substituting for Alonso de Ojeda, his mandate is illegitimate, because the governor of Veragua is Diego de Nicuesa, not Ojeda; therefore, Fernández de Enciso should be deposed and arrested.
After Enciso's ouster, a more open government is established and a municipal council is elected (the first in the Americas).
Two alcaldes are appointed: Martín Samudio and Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
A flotilla led by Rodrigo Enrique Colmenares arrives shortly after this in Santa María.
His objective is to find Nicuesa, who is also facing some difficulties in the north of Panamá.
When de Colmenares learns of the recent events, he persuades the town's settlers that they should submit to the authority of de Nicuesa, since their land is under his jurisdiction.
Enrique de Colmenares invites two representatives, to be named by the local government, to travel with his flotilla and offer de Nicuesa authority over the city.
The two representatives are Diego de Albites and Diego del Corral.