As a member of the Order of Calatrava, in 1499, de Bobadilla was appointed to succeed Christopher Columbus as the second Governor of the Indies, Spain's new territories in America, by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Upon his arrival in the Colony of Santo Domingo on Hispaniola in August 1500, de Bobadilla upheld accusations of mismanagement made against Columbus, and had Columbus sent back to Spain in chains. Bobadilla also pardoned Francisco Roldán, who had revolted against the rule of Columbus's brother Bartholomew Columbus.
