Gonzalo de Sandoval (1497 – late 1528) was a Spanish conquistador in New Spain (Mexico)[1]: 50  and briefly co-governor of the colony while Hernán Cortés was away from the capital (March 2, 1527 to August 22, 1527).

After the subjugation of Moctezuma, Cortés placed him in command at Villa Rica de Vera Cruz as alguacil mayor.

[1]: 251  He seized the messengers of Pánfilo de Narváez, who demanded the surrender of the town, and sent them as prisoners to Cortés.

During the Siege of Tenochtitlan, he led attacks on the Mexican garrisons in Chalco and Tlamanalco, and escorted the timber needed for the sloops, to Texcoco.

[1]: 385–386, 388–390  Sandoval was sent by Cortes to counter a threat by Cuauhtémoc's allies in the Spanish rear, returning with two captured Matlazingo chieftains as prisoner.

[1]: 401–403 In December 1521, Sandoval met Cristóbal de Tapia, who had been sent by the Crown to relieve Cortes, and in a council of officers obtained a delay.

In the indigenous town of Caxitlán, near the coast, Sandoval founded the city of Colima in its first location on July 25, 1523.

In the fall of 1527, he traveled with Cortés to Spain, arriving at the port of Palos de la Frontera in December after a voyage of only 41 days.

Díaz del Castillo also said this about him: He was not highly educated, but a simple man; neither was he covetous for gold, but only for fame and to be a good, strong captain.