Diego Caballero

Diego Caballero was a leading merchant of Santa Domigo in the mid-16th century whose extensive trade network included agents in Cubagua, San Lucar de Barrameda and Seville.

Born in Guadalupe, he went to Santa Domingo in 1517 where he held various official posts as a person of a noble background. As a man of many talents, Caballero ran several private enterprises and eventually dedicated himself entirely to shipping and commerce across the Atlantic. Using various pretexts, he organized raids on Indians and used their slave labor in pearl fishing and other enterprises.

Caballero’s ships transported precious woods and metals, pearls and various other valuable commodities from the Caribbean islands of Cubagua and Isla Marguarita to Sevilla, Spain where his brother Alonso was appointed his agent and factor. In return, ships carried for America textiles and various tools and useful items produced in Spain. In a subsequent period, he was able to increase the size of his merchant fleet, to open additional commercial sea routes and to launch new pearl fisheries in Cubagua, Cabo de la Vela and Panama.

As a very wealthy man, Caballero retuned permanently to Seville in 1535. From that base he continued to trade with the New World, and extended his business affairs into wine, oil, textiles and slavery across Spain and Spanish Empire, including Flanders.

In his final years, Caballero retired from business and dedicated himself to charitable work.