On 15 January 1684 a mass Indian rebellion broke out in Citará province, marking the end of a prolonged period of tense but essentially peaceful Spanish– Indian interaction in this part of the Chocó.The uprising was timed to break out concurrently in the main settlements of Negua, Lloró and San Francisco de Atrato, from where it rapidly spread to the many small mining camps scattered across the province. Over the course of that day, Indians massacred all but a few of the Spanish residents of Citará territory, as well as black slaves, Indian servants and carriers from the interior, Spanish traders or tratantes, and even many women. According to Governor Gerónimo de Berrio, of Popayán, a total of 126 ‘Spanish Christians’ lost their lives in the uprising. In addition to killing the Spaniards, Indians burned down settlements, desecrated chapels and took church ornaments. In Negua, where the rebellion was first planned, all but one of the inhabitants were killed within minutes of the outbreak of violence. Of the 11 bodies later found there, four had been decapitated and the Franciscan comisario's body was burned. In this, as in all the other settlements and mining camps of the province, everything that could be carried away was taken by the rebels. Hundreds fled from the main areas of Spanish settlement thereafter. Some retreated to inaccessible areas in the vicinity of Lloró; others, such as Don Pedro de Bolivar, Don Juan Chigri and Don Fernando Tajina, opted for the greater safety of more distant zones, escaping across the Atrato river to the Bojaya river, or northwards to the Murri river.

Three separate expeditions were recruited in the immediate aftermath of the rebellion and sent to rescue the survivors who took refuge in Bueso de Valdés’ mine of Naurita, to capture and punish the rebel leaders, and to return the remainder of the population to their settlements. One came from Antioquia; the other two from Popayán. From Antioquia, Juan Bueso de Valdés led a company of 40 armed soldiers, eight aventureros, and more than 40 Indians. From Popayán, one expedition was sent under the command of Juan de Caicedo Salazar, consisting of more than 100 armed men and aided by 30 Tatama and 130 Noanama – the Indians having been promised a ten-year exemption from tribute payments in exchange for service, the soldiers, a share of the pillage.