Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur was a 17th-century Spanish missionary who dedicated his life to serving the marginalized in Guatemala. Born in Vilaflor on Tenerife, he spent his early years working as a shepherd before traveling to the Americas at age 23. Although he initially sought the priesthood, he instead became a Franciscan tertiary and focused his ministry on the poor, the sick, and prisoners. He is recognized as the first saint from the Canary Islands and a foundational religious figure in Central America.