Hernan Cortes (1487-1545) qualifies as such.
Cortes found the Aztec civilization in the present-day Mexico region
I think the answer is an empressario
The most important among them would be Hernan Cortes (1485-1547): First discoverer of Mexico; he conquered the whole region for the Spanish Empire and set four expeditions to northwestern Mexico. He is the discoverer of the Baja California Peninsula.
Silver.
The Spanish were killing them, enslaving them, taking their women and wealth.
Hernan Cortes is the Spanish explorer who searched for wealth and land in the Americas. He is best known for conquering the Aztec Empire in Mexico in the early 16th century.
He sailed to Mexico, but ended up in Mexico City looking for gold and wealth. Mexico City is inland so he had to walk there. He didn't know the city existed.
In the 1540's Spain's colonies made huge discoveries of silver in Mexico and Peru.
Short term: Killing or enslaving of most of the Native Americans (Aztec and Mayan civilizations) already settled in Mexico. Increase in wealth for the Spanish Crown due to exploitation of mineral resources - specially silver - in Mexico. Colonization of lands previously owned by Native Americans by Spanish settlers. Long term: Adoption of many Spanish traditions into "New Spain" territories, such as religion and language.
Columbus was looking for a quick route to India for the spice trade.
After the rest of Europe found out there was an actual continent between Europe and eastern Asia (i.e. the Americas), it became a race to grab resources and wealth from the newly found lands. Most of the time, this included annexation of vast swats of land. This is exemplified by what Spanish conquistadors were looking for in Mexico: God, gold and glory.
The Spanish explorer who was searching for the seven cities of gold was Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. He led an expedition in the 16th century, exploring the southwestern United States in search of the legendary wealth. However, he did not find the cities of gold but instead discovered the Grand Canyon and other notable landmarks.