Benito Ruiz de Salazar (?? - ??) was a governor of Spanish Florida twice: from 1645 to 1646 and from 1647 to 1650.
Benito Ruiz de Salazar Vallecilla was chosen as royal governor of Florida on April 10, 1645. In that year he organized an expedition in the north of the province of Apalache, along the lower Chattahoochee River, in south western Georgia and eastern Alabama, bringing a group of soldiers. He left office on April 11, 1646. However, Ruiz de Salazar was re-elected as governor of Florida in 1647.[1]
In his government, he also planted wheat in Alto Timucua (near the province, Upper Timucua), he started a barter with deer skins with the natives of the Appalachian Mountains and he began raising mules and horses. Don Benito contracted the construction of a Galleon for the King of Spain, because he had no funds to finance his appointment. However, he failed to finish the galleon in the year provided, so that the treasurer officials, who dismissed him on orders from the crown, and they took over the governorship of Florida.[2] Ruiz de Salazar had to leave his post as governor in 1650. Although there were sporadic visits to these villages as late as in 1695, the expedition Ruiz was the last great exploratory Spanish company in Georgia.[1]