Born near the bay of San Juan in Puerto Rico, Miguel's mother died during childbirth and his father abandoned him. He was taken in by Alonso Carlo, a freed slave and translator for the Spanish colonial army. By the age of nine, Miguel was fluent in Taíno, Arawak, and Spanish. In 1510, Alonso was accused by Juan Ponce de León of plotting an assassination against him and de León ordered his execution. Alonso took Miguel and fled before the latter could be captured. The two eventually arrived in Florida, where they found safety with the Assassins and Miguel joined their ranks.