Pedro de Alvarado
Soon after arriving in Santo Domingo, on Hispaniola, Pedro de Alvarado established a friendship with Hernán Cortés, who at the time was serving as public scribe. Alvarado joined Cortés to participate in the conquest of Cuba, under the command of Diego de Velázquez. The conquest of Cuba was launched in 1511, and Pedro de Alvarado was accompanied by his brothers. Soon after the invasion, Alvarado was managing a prosperous "hacienda" in the new colony. It is around this time that Pedro de Alvarado emerges into the historical record as a prosperous and influential "hacienda"-owner, already well connected with Velázquez, who was now governor of Cuba.