Francisco López de Zúñiga

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Francisco López de Zúñiga, Marquis of Baides (Villa de Pedrosa, Spain; 1599 - 1655) was a Spanish soldier who served as Royal Governor of Chile from May of 1639 to May of 1646.

The son of Francisco López de Zúñiga y la Cerda and María Meneses Padilla, López de Zúñiga was a knight of the Order of Santiago and Count of Pedrosa. He was married to María de Salazar in 1636.

For 16 years he served in the Spanish army, fighting in Flanders and Germany. In 1639 he was named Governor of the district of Chile. During his rule, corruption flourished, and peace of Quillin was established with the indigenous Mapuche people.

At the end of his term he embarked on a Spanish armada departing from Callao, Peru on its way back to Spain. Although he lived to see his son born during the voyage, the fleet was attacked by an English squadron while within sight of Cadiz, Spain, and López de Zúñiga was killed in the combat.

Preceded by Francisco Laso de la Vega

Royal Governor of Chile 1639-1646

Succeeded by Martín de Mujica y Buitrón