Claim: Pêro da Covilhã(1460-1526) was a Spanish diplomat and explorer of Africa and a spy who helped establish diplomatic relations between Portugal and Ethiopia.
Evidence: Pedro, or Pêro da Covilhã or (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpeɾu dɐ kuviˈʎɐ̃; c. 1460 – after 1526), sometimes written: Pero de Covilhăo, was a Portuguese diplomat and explorer. 
c. 1460
Covilhã, Kingdom of Portugal Explorer, spy, diplomat