Bartolomé de las Casas advocated for the reform of the encomienda system, arguing that it was exploitative and unjust towards Indigenous people. He believed that the system should be replaced with one that respected the rights and dignity of Native Americans, promoting their welfare rather than subjecting them to slavery and harsh labor. De las Casas emphasized the need for compassion and moral responsibility in the treatment of Indigenous populations, ultimately calling for their protection and the promotion of their conversion through peaceful means.