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L; histore de L'Espagne dans Les Caraibes. After the death of...

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L; histore de L'Espagne dans Les Caraibes.

After the death of Agüeybaná I, the Taíno high chief who struck the initial peace agreement with Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León in 1508, Agüeybaná II rose to power.

Beginning his reign amidst native dissatisfaction with the encomiendas system and the acquisition of land territory that his predecessor allowed, the new leader soon formed a coalition that included several southern caciques, such as Urayoán, Coxiguex, Yauco, Jumacao, Loquillo, Orocobix, Guayama, and "Luis" among several others, and declared war on the European settlers.[3] The first act of war carried out by the Taínos was the execution of Cristóbal de Sotomayor, a high-ranking Spanish officer, and the burning of his settlement.

From this point onward, the conflict took place in stages, the first being an open confrontation where both sides clashed.[4] Two such confrontations took place in 1511 with the Spaniards, led by Ponce de León, winning the initial confrontations despite the numeric advantage of the Taínos.

Throughout 1512, Spanish commanders Juan Cerón and Miguel Díaz led a series of horseback incursions into the territory of the ruling Caciques, destroying their villages (known as yucayeques) and taking as many slaves as possible in the process.[5] The ensuing Spanish counteroffensive was characterized by both political and economic motives, which would allow the mining of resources, such as gold, in their domains and the sale of natives as slaves.[3] In March of that year, they focused on a cacique that they renamed "Alonso" in the central region of Otoao.[5] During the following months, Humacao, Guayama, and Orocobix were targeted.[5] On May 15, 1512, Juan Godínez led a new Spanish incursion against the Taíno.[6] In total, the Spanish carried out 18 attacks against the Taíno during this year.[6]

In early 1513, the conquistadores targeted the domains of Cociguex, Yauco, Abey, and the renamed "Luis", managing control of the region.[7] The natives then employed guerrilla tactics, constantly moving throughout their offensives and moving in and out of Borikén/San Juan in canoes as necessary.[3] The Taíno launched a counteroffensive from a base in the Daguao, in the eastern half of the main island, managing to burn down the Spanish capital of Caparra.

In turn, Orocobix's domain was under siege during five consecutive months, from May to September.[8] In September 1513, the conquistadores entered the domain of Hayuya twice.[8] "Alonso" and Orocovis were also targeted.[9] That same month, the Spanish made another incursion into Otoao.[8] During that year, the local Spanish carried out 23 incursions against the natives, and viceroy Diego Colón ordered additional retaliatory attacks after the Taínos burned down the settlement of Caparra.[6]

Posted September 25 2023 at 4:24 PM

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