The Arena Massacre or Arena Uprising took place on 1 December 1699 in Trinidad at the mission of San Fernando de los Arenales, east Trinidad. It resulted in the death of several hundred Amerindians, Roman Catholic priests connected with the mission of San Francisco de los Arenales, the Spanish Governor José de León y Echales and all but one member of his party.[1]
Amerindians tied to the Church's encomienda at the mission at Arena revolted, killing the priests and desecrating the church.[2] They then ambushed the governor and his party, who were on their way to visit the church. Among those killed in the governor's party was Fr. Juan Mazien de Sotomayor, O.P., missionary priest to the Nepuyo villages of Cuara, Tacarigua and Arouca. One member of the governor's party managed to escape the attackers and returned to San Jose where he raised the alarm.[citation needed]