Columbus was arrested and sent back to Spain in 1500. The arrest occurred during his third voyage, when he was serving as governor of the Spanish colony on Hispaniola.
By 1499, settlers and returning colonists had sent complaints to Spain accusing Columbus and his brothers of mismanaging the colony. The Crown appointed Francisco de Bobadilla as royal administrator and sent him to investigate. Bobadilla arrived at Santo Domingo on 23 August 1500, removed Columbus from office, and arrested him along with his brothers Diego and Bartholomew.
Columbus was placed in chains and transported to Spain. He remained under arrest during the voyage and spent several weeks imprisoned after arriving, but King Ferdinand ordered his release. The monarchs did not restore his governorship, although Columbus retained important titles and later received permission for a fourth voyage.
A frequent confusion is between the date of arrest and the date of Columbus's return. Both belong to 1500: the arrest took place in Hispaniola in late August, while the voyage back to Spain followed afterward. The episode marked the collapse of Columbus's political authority in the Indies.