The cabildo of San Juan Tenochtitlan was a governing council established in the 16th century to give a Spanish-style government to Tenochtitlan.
The cabildo consisted of a single governor, a number of alcaldes and regidores, and a number of other minor officials.
The cabildo was abolished in 1812 through the Spanish Constitution of 1812.[1]
Initially the governorship was given to the tlatoani (indigenous dynastic ruler) and many early governors were thus referred to by the Spaniards as cacique y gobernador ("Indian ruler and governor") or señor y gobernador ("lord and governor"). The last tlatoani of Tenochtitlan was Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin (1563–1565). Governors who also were tlatoani or cuauhtlatoani (interim ruler) are indicated in the list.
Subsequent (non-dynastic) governors were referred to juez-gobernador ("judge-governor") or simply gobernador ("governor"). In 1564, the governor received a salary of 400 pesos per year.[2]
New alcaldes were elected yearly. Until 1600, Tenochtitlan was served by two alcaldes. In odd-numbered years, the alcaldes would be representatives of the "barrios" of San Pablo Teopan and San Juan Moyotlan, while in even years, the alcaldes would be representatives of San Sebastián Atzaqualco and Santa María la Redonda Cuepopan. In 1600, the number of alcaldes was increased to four, one for each district; in 1610 it was increased again to eight, with two for each district.
In 1564, alcaldes were receiving salaries of 50 pesos.[3]
| 1555 | Alonso de San Miguel (San Pablo) | Miguel Díaz (San Juan) | |
| 1556 | Miguel Sánchez Yscatl (San Sebastián) | Cristóbal de Guzmán Cecetzin (Santa María) | |
| 1557 | Tomás de Aquino Yspopulac (San Pablo) | Luis de Santa María Nanacacipactzin (San Juan) | |
| 1558 | Martín Cano (San Sebastián) | Pedro de la Cruz Tlapaltecatl (Santa María) | |
| 1559 | Pedro García Tenylotl (San Pablo) | Lucas Cortés Tenamaz (San Juan) | |
| 1560 | Miguel Sánchez Yscatl (San Sebastián) | Melchior Díaz Suchipepena (Santa María) | |
| 1561 | Luis de Paz Huehuezaca (San Pablo) | Toribio Vásquez Tlacuscalcal (San Juan) | |
| 1562 | Martín Cano (San Sebastián) | Pedro de la Cruz Tlapaltecatl (Santa María) | |
| 1563 | Tomás de Aquino Yspopulac (San Pablo) | Lucas Cortés Tenamaz (San Juan) | |
| 1564 | Martín de San Juan Ezmalin (San Sebastián) | Antonio de Santa María Mexicaytoa (Santa María) | |
| 1565 | Pedro Dionisio (San Pablo) | Toribio Vásquez Tlacuscalcal (San Juan) | |
| 1566 | Miguel Sánchez Yscatl (San Sebastián) | Francisco Xuárez (Santa María) | |
| 1567 | Luis de Paz Huehuezaca (San Pablo) | Martín Hernández Acatecatl (San Juan) | |
| 1568 | Juan García Totoco (San Sebastián) | Diego de Tovar (Santa María) |
Tenochtitlan had twelve regidores, an unusually high number. Like alcaldes, regidores represented the four subdivisions of Tenochtitlan, although with disproportionate representation of San Juan Moyotlan.
In 1564, regidores were receiving salaries of 20 pesos.[3]