Trinidad, Cuba

From gold miners to smugglers and slave traders, to world’s largest sugar producer

Trinidad is one of the oldest towns in Cuba. It was the third Spanish villa founded by Spanish explorer Diego Velazques in 1514. Only Baracoa (1511) and Bayamo (1513) are older.

Since the very beginnings, Trinidad’s strategic location made it a valuable asset for the Spanish Crown. It was in Trinidad where Spanish conquistador gathered its forces before departing to conquer the lands of modern Mexico.

The lands and rivers around Trinidad were rich in gold at the time. The first Spanish settlers devoted themselves to mining the precious ore. But it was quickly exhausted. From that point onwards and for several centuries, trading with pirates and corsairs became the main economic activity for Trinidad’s families.

The Spanish Crown turned a blind eye to these activities for some time. But ultimately Trinidad’s dealings with pirates became an issue. Trinidad then turns to agriculture and livestock to continue thriving.  Francisco Iznaga, a basque settler and successful entrepreneur that at one point was appointed Mayor of Bayamo, was a prominent figure in turning Trinidad into a very successful sugar producer. By 1827, the Guaimaro Sugar Mill in Trinidad was the largest producer of sugar in the world.

Trinidad. Once a pirate, always a pirate.

In spite of its good fortunes as tobacco and sugar producers, Trinidad’s love affair with Caribbean pirates continued well into the 18^th century. During that century, Trinidad’s wealth came not from producing sugar, but again from trading with Dutch, French, and English pirates and privateers. Smuggling tobacco, particularly during the American War of Independence, became common practice.

Smuggling from Trinidad created frictions with the Spanish seat of government in Havana. At least four Mayors of Trinidad and several members of the Spanish aristocracy were prosecuted by the Crown during those years.

Trinidad’s wealth also attracted a bit of unwanted attention. The village was raided twice, in 1639 and again in 1642, by English fleets.

Let’s be loyal to Spain for once. At least against the English 😉

When in August of 1762 the English navy successfully sieges and occupies Havana, Trinidad sent forces to help fend off the invasion. The Trinidad army was defeated in their attempt to regain control of the Cabana fortress in Havana, losing some 400 men in the fight. Trinidad also became a supply chain for the Spanish army in Havana until their capitulation.

In September the same year nine English warships blocked Casilda Bay in the shores of Trinidad with the intent of taking the city. However, local militias successfully fended off two attempts by the English forces to disembark troops and ultimately the English fleet moved on.