Spanish–Taíno War of San Juan–Borikén
Taíno Rebellion of 1511 in Puerto Rico / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Spanish and Taíno War of San Juan–Borikén, also known as the Taíno Rebellion of 1511,[lower-alpha 1] was the first major conflict to take place in modern-day Puerto Rico after the arrival of the Spaniards on November 19, 1493.
Taíno–Spanish War | |||||||
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| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
Castile | Taínos of Boriken and allies from the Antilles | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Juan Ponce de León Captains: Diego Guilarte de SalazarHernando de la Torre Álvaro de Saavedra Luis de Añasco Juan López Juan Godínez Antón Cansino Martín Cerón Sancho de Arango Francisco Vaca Pedro Dávila Juan Enríquez Marcos de Ardón Diego Colón Juan González Pedro de Espinosa Alonso de Mendoza Alonso Niño Cristóbal de Mendoza Jerónimo de Merlo |
Local caciques:[1] AbeyAdelantado Camillas "Alonso" Aymaco Aymanio Aymanio II Azmia Cabuas Cacimar Canóbana del Cairabón Cayey Comerío Coxiguex Guamaní Guariana Guarionex Guayaboa Guayama Guayervas Huamay Huanicoy Humacao Jamaica Hayuya Loquillo "Luis" Maboabantes Mabodomoca Orocobix Urayoán Yauco Yaureibo Yogueras | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Several hundreds | Several thousands | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Hundreds | Unknown (most defeated Taínos were enslaved) |
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 for 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]
Between 1514 and 1515, the Spanish made advances into the Daguao, pushing the Taínos to seek refuge in the Lesser Antilles, with the presence of Agüeybana II being reported at Guadeloupe. The last report of a Taíno that could have been the High Chief was made in 1518, after which he disappears from the record. Attacks carried out by exiled Taínos and their associates from neighboring islands extended through the 1520s, finally stopping in 1529.[10]