Who had the most power in Spanish colonial society?

In Spanish colonial society, the most power was held by the peninsulares, who were Spanish-born individuals residing in the colonies. They occupied the highest social, political, and economic positions, often serving as colonial administrators and landowners. Below them were the criollos, who were of Spanish descent but born in the colonies, followed by mestizos, indigenous peoples, and enslaved Africans, who had significantly less power and rights. This hierarchical structure reinforced the dominance of the peninsulares in colonial governance and society.