LOSADA, Diego de (lo-sah'-dah), Spanish adventurer, born in San Lucar de Barrameda in 1519" died in Tocuyo, Venezuela, in 1569. Of his earlv life little is known. He probably served under Pedro de Heredia (q. v.) in Carthagena, and he certainly participated in the expedition that was sent under Felipe de Urre for the discovery of the fabulous E1 Dorado in 1541-'5. He continued to serve under the different governors of Venezuela, and in 1566 was intrusted by Pedro Ponce de Leon with the conquest of the country of the Caracas Indians, which had been partially settled by Fajardo in 1560, but afterward abandoned. The valley of the Caracas was said to be very rich, and densely populated by nearly 150,000 Indians; but Losada left the city of Mariana in January, 1567, with only 150 soldiers, 18 of whom were mounted. After fighting against the warlike Arbaces and Teques, he arrived in April in the valley of Caracas, and, after routing part of the Indian forces, founded at the foot of a high mountain a city which he named Santiago de Leon de Caracas. The Indians soon rallied and attacked Losada, cutting off his supplies; but as the tribes were under command of many different caciques, Losada caused dissension among them, and gained over a chief named Guaipata, through whom he obtained the necessary supplies. Incensed at the treachery, the other tribes formed a league, and, under command of the cacique Guaicapuro, fell with a numerous army upon Guaipata, who demanded succor from Losada. The latter, after a protracted war, defeated the allies, and was appointed by Ponce de Leon governor of the newly founded colony. He began to reward his followers with rich grants of land and Indian commanderies, but caused dissatisfaction by the distribution; and those who thought themselves unjustly dealt with allied themselves with the Indians, and there was an insurrection. Losada applied to Ponce de Leon for help; but, in order to restore peace, the latter divested him of his command in 1569, transferring the seat of the general government to Caracas. Losada retired to Tocuyo, where he died of grief after vain endeavors to obtain justice.