This Month in Latin American History

Depiction of the sack of Panama March 12, 1671 Henry Morgan returns to Port Royal following the sack of Panama As convoys of silver and other valuable cargo between Spain and its New World colonies grew, Spain’s European rivals sought ways to profit from that trade. One of the most common tactics was to hire privateers- licensed pirates who sought to pick off ships or raid coastal communities along the main trade routes. In the 1660s, one of the most successful privateers was Henry Morgan of Wales, who had already staged several successful raids around the Caribbean before undertaking his most daring assault yet- an attack on Panama City. Even before the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century, the city was a crucial nexus of trade, but since it was on the Pacific side of the isthmus, the defenders were not prepared for Morgan’s force, which landed on the Caribbean side and marched across difficult terrain, taking the city almost completely by surprise. Despite the Spanish governor destroying most of the city’s treasury, Morgan’s crew remained for three weeks, and in the aftermath the Spanish rebuilt Panama city in a different, more defensible location. Upon his return to Port Royal, Jamaica, Morgan received a hero’s welcome, but not long afterward he was arrested, since he had technically broken a peace treaty between England and Spain. Though never punished, the Crown made it clear that Morgan was to retire- he was named deputy governor of Jamaica and awarded a large estate there, where he lived out his days in luxury. Want to know more? Take Latin American History! Contact Prof. Greg Hammond at [email protected]