When did the Spanish conquest of Central America begin?

The Spanish conquest of Central America was not a single event but a series of expeditions and occupations that began in the early 16th century. While exploration and initial colonial efforts were underway in the Darién region under figures like Pedro Arias Dávila (Pedrarias) by 1519, the broader conquest of the region intensified significantly in 1524.1

In 1524, Hernán Cortés dispatched forces to conquer Guatemala and Honduras, while Pedro de Alvarado began the conquest of El Salvador that same year. During this period, other Spanish forces established settlements in Nicaragua, such as Granada and León. The process of colonization continued for decades, with the conquest of Costa Rica being delayed until 1561.213

It is important to acknowledge that this period of expansion was marked by the brutal exploitation and displacement of Indigenous peoples, a reality that prompted figures like Bartolomé de Las Casas to advocate for more humane treatment and eventually influenced the implementation of the New Laws of 1542.3