Ruy Díaz de Melgarejo

Ruy Diaz de Melgarejo (Salteras, Castile 1519 – Santa Fe, Río de la Plata 1602) was a Spanish conquistador and statesman who served in the settlement and defense of the possessions of the Crown of Castile in the region of Río de la Plata in South America. His life was marked by wars, conspiracies, persecutions and family conflicts. Melgarejo enjoyed the favor of the Spanish crown. He almost absolutely ruled the independent province of Guayrá for 30 years.

Early life and arrival to South America Ruy Díaz Ortiz Melgarejo was born in Salteras of Seville, in the southernmost region of Andalusia. His parents were Francisco de Vergara y Ribera (1489) and Beatriz de las Roelas (1499).

His paternal grandparents were Fernando de Vergara (1459) and his third spouse Francisca de Riber (1469). His maternal grandparents were Ruy Díaz Ortiz Melgarejo (n. ca. 1469), from whom he adopted his lastname, lord of Torres de Guadiamar and was part of the expedition of the Catholic Monarchs on the Granada War, He remained with de Vaca until, in 1544, the latter was removed from his position. de Vaca's protest against the crown's removal of his position led to his jailing. Elvira was the sister-in-law of Juan de Garay and a descendant of powerful dynasties of the former medieval kingdoms of Castile and Leon, the Houses of Mendoza and Guzman. They had at least four children together.

Later successes Melgarejo was active in establishing settlements along the Paraná River. Melgarejo founded Villarrica in May 1570. The name, translated as "rich town", was selected due to Melgarejo's belief that there were silver mines nearby. He was later sent by de Irala to "conquer and settle" Guayrá. He instead created a new settlement, Ciudad Real, on higher ground across the Paraná River from the original Ontiveros site.

He was to be replaced as governor in 1570 by Alanzo Riguelme, but before Riguelme could take office his credentials were revoked and he was arrested. Melgarejo was instructed to bring Riguelme and Felipe de Caceres back to Spain. They embarked in 1573. Bad weather early in the voyage forced them to stop at the port of San Vicente in Brazil, where Melgarejo was commissioned to assist the Governor in battles against natives. His success in these battles led to his increased popularity with the government, which in turn led to increased opportunities to make additional expeditions to explore and settle the Paraguayan interior. His successes in his naval commands and as a leader of settlement parties led to him becoming known as the "Invincible Captan."

Legacy

Three streets have been named Ruy Diaz de Melgarejo after him. One in his birthplace Salteras, one in a ciity he founded Villarrica and another one in Asuncion. At the entrance of the city of Villarrica, there is a statue and a plaque dedicated to him. Bernardino Caballero. Founder of the Colorado Party and former President of Paraguay, was a descendant of his sister, Juana. Paraguayan author Ramon I Cardozo wrote an biographic essay about him titled Melgarejo.