The authority to colonize territories was granted to Alonso de Ojeda and Diego de Nicuesa

The authority to colonize territories was granted to Alonso de Ojeda and Diego de Nicuesa, focusing on the region between the Gulf of Urabá and Cabo Gracias a Dios, which is located in present-day Honduras. This decision was part of the broader Spanish colonial efforts in the Americas, aimed at expanding their influence and control over new lands. The colonization efforts were driven by the desire for resources, land, and the spread of Christianity. Spanish expeditions soon began to converge on these territories, marking the beginning of significant European presence in Central America. The establishment of colonies in this region would lead to the exploitation of local resources and the impact on indigenous populations, as European powers sought to assert dominance over the newly discovered lands. The actions of Ojeda and Nicuesa were pivotal in shaping the early colonial landscape of Central America, setting the stage for further exploration and settlement by Spain.