Juan de Zaldívar

Juan de Zaldívar (c. 1570–1598) was a Spanish soldier and explorer. He was an early colonizer of New Mexico. He was murdered by Native Americans.

Juan de Zaldívar was born circa 1570 in Northern Mexico. His father, Vicente de Zaldívar, Sr., served in the Mixtón War of 1540-1542 alongside his uncle (thus Juan's great-uncle), Cristóbal de Oñate. His mother was Magdalena de Mendoza y Salazar. He had a brother, Vicente de Zaldívar. Juan de Oñate was their uncle and second cousin.

In 1595, Zaldívar was asked by his uncle, Juan de Oñate, to serve as his Maestre de Campo, or field marshall, in Oñate's colonization of New Mexico for the Spanish Crown. They departed from Santa Bárbara, Chihuahua in January 1598, arriving in Ciudad Juárez by April of the same year. They went up the Rio Grande, arriving in San Juan de los Caballeros (now known as Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico) on July 11, 1598.

Zaldívar was murdered by Native Americans in Acoma Pueblo on December 4, 1598. His brother, Vicente de Zaldívar, won the Battle of Acoma Pueblo, partly to avenge his death. The battle included foot amputation and enslavement of the culprits (Native Americans).