Canek is the name of two ifferent historical rulers of the Itza Maya of Petén, Guatemala. The first Canek met Hernán Cortés, who passed by the Itza capital Tayasal on his journey to Honduras in 1524. The second Canek was ruler of the Itza when Tayasal was conquered by Martín de Ursua in 1596. The Mayan revolutionary Jacinto Canek took his name from the last independent Mayan ruler, and because of him the name was also used as a rallying cry by Mayas in the 19th century Caste War between Mayas and Spanish.