Which explorer was known for burning Pueblo Indians at the stake?

Don Juan de Onate is known for his brutal treatment of Indigenous peoples during his expedition into what is now the southwestern United States in the late 16th century. He led an exploration and settlement effort in New Mexico, and his actions included violent confrontations with the Pueblo Indians. One of the most notorious events linked to Onate was the punishment he imposed on the Acoma Pueblo after a conflict with them, where he ordered the execution of many individuals, including burning some at the stake. This harsh treatment stemmed from a desire to assert dominance and control over the native populations and secure Spanish colonial interests in the region.

In contrast, while the other figures—Fray Marcos de Niza, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, and Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca—were all involved in exploration efforts and had interactions with Native American communities, they did not have the same level of documented violence or punitive actions associated with their explorations that Onate did. Their missions were often more focused on exploration, trade, or diplomacy rather than the violent subjugation characteristic of Onate's approach.