Vasco Nunez de Balboa was an explorer for Spain. He was also a conqueror. When he and his party explored Panama they saw the Pacific Ocean. His group is the first one from Europe to see it (1513). Balboa claimed all of the Pacific Ocean and coast for Spain.
Balboa went to America with a group of explorers. When he got here he became a farmer. But that did not work out and he fled to get away from his debts. He stole away on a ship (See picture of workers carrying barrel) to get a fresh start. He ended up in a colony called San Sebastian. It had been mostly wiped out. Native Americans were not friendly and had killed off many of the early settlers there. He suggested that they move to an area where the Indians were friendly. So they moved to a new place. The new colony was called Darien.
Balboa became the acting governor of that colony. The Spanish learned from the Indians that there was gold to the south. Balboa took a group and went in search of the gold and riches. The men under Balboa were cruel to the Native Americans.
News from Balboa’s exploring was learned by others. They learned about the Isthmus of Panama. More explorers wanted to come to America. Many wanted to come when they heard there might be gold.
Back in Spain, another person was appointed to be the governor over Darien. This was the new colony that Balboa had helped get started. The new governor did not trust Balboa. He accused Balboa of treason and had him tried for it. In the trial they said Balboa was guilty. He was sentenced to be killed. The new governor had Balboa beheaded.
http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/vasco-nunez-de-balboa
Vasco Nunez de Balboa claims the South Seas for Spain 3- Wikimedia Commons ;
Balboa carried (sneaked) onto ship by Frederick A Ober- Wikimedia Commons;
Map of Balboa's explorations – Molumen World Map- Openclipart.org