Career
He was made general of the plaza and presidio of El Collo, one of the major naval bases in the Spanish Pacific at the time. When the Marquess of Guadalcázar, heard of the death of the Governor of Chile, Pedro Osores de Ulloa, he decided to replace the temporary governor, Francisco de Alava and Nureña. Nureña was the brother-in-law of the deceased Osores, designated by Osores during his final hours.
He was later confirmed in the position by king Philip III of Spain.
From his arrival in Chile, the governor was immediately in the most urgent situation with the Mapuche toqui Butapichún making frequent incursions into Spanish territory north of the Biology-Biology River. In order to contain him, the new governor divided the border into two districts.
One under the command of its Maestro de Campo Alonso de Cordova y Figueroa, and the other run by his Sargento Mayor Juan Fernandez Rebolledo. To each of these commanders he gave a well equipped force, so that as a mobile force it could be used in pursuing Butapichún.
Despite these measures and some lucky blows against the natives, the Malónes of Butapichún continued.
He suffered some defeats with the worst being the Battle of Las Cangrejeras. He also suggested to the king, without success, the transfer of the Real Audiencia of Chile from Santiago to Concepcion.
