Francisco de Santillán y Argote was a Spanish soldier and colonial administrator who was governor of the Province of Margarita from 13 April 1643 to 23 March 1649.
[1] Captain Francisco de Santillán y Argote was appointed Governor of the Isla Margarita and dispatched to take up that post by an order of 12 May 1643.
[2] Don Juan Damián López de Haro was appointed Bishop of Puerto Rico in 1644, holding office until his death in 1648.
Santillan joined with Gregorio de Castellar y Mantilla, Governor and Captain-General of Cumaná, in opposing the decision, which they saw as a violation of the currently accepted property rights, and wanted to continue to collect tithes.
[3] Don Damian died in Margarita on 20 September 1648 after a ship carrying plague arrived from Puerto Rico.