The region San Juan del Cesar was
inhabited by Arhuacos indigenous tribe, led during that time by a Cacique named
"Marocazo". It was
founded on June 24, 1701 by Captain Salvador Felix Arias Pereira with the name
of Villa of San Juan Bautista, over Mount Yiyirigak by the Cesar River.
Arias-Pereira was in a mission to "pacify" the indigenous tribes in
rebellion; the Tupes, Coyaimas, Conopans and Marocazos.
