Cuba. Capitanía General.

In order to govern its possessions in the New World the crown of Spain created in 1511, the Consejo Supremo de las Indias which was reorganized in 1524. The Audiencia of Santo Domingo was created first and it was responsible to carry and execute the laws and mandates of Spain. At first all the discovered territories, its governors and officials depended from Santo Domingo until new Audiencias were created. Cuba's first Governor, also called Captain General, was Diego Velázquez who resided in Santiago. However, since 1547, the governors began to reside in Santiago or Havana. Diego de Mazariegos, who took possession in 1556, was the first governor of Cuba that resided permanently in Havana. Weyler was a central figure in Cuba's War of Independence against Spain, known for his relocation of all Cubans living in the country or outside fortified areas into "reconcentration camps" in towns and cities occupied by Spanish troops in an effort to separate rebel forces from civilians and suppress the popular support of insurgents.