[ Tlaxkaltekah Nation ]
Juan de Oñate is the source of much controversy in the state of New Mexico. Every year, a fiesta is held in his honor by the community of Española. People parade through the streets dressed as conquistadors, and a “Reina” is elected as part of the fiesta. But is Juan de Oñate worthy of such a celebration?
In 1614, Juan de Oñate was tried and convicted for the numerous crimes committed while in New Mexico (he was convicted of rape, disloyalty, murder, and stealing from the King, among other counts). As punishment, he was banished from the state of New Mexico for life, fined 6,000 Spanish Ducats, and exiled from Mexico City for 4 years. The judgement against him is here (you can download complete court documents at bottom of this page:
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He appealed the decision years later in 1622, but was denied by the King of Spain, who stated:
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