Black Liberators of the Spanish Caribbean

Most historical accounts either completely ignore the significant contributions of persons of African ancestry whether enslaved or free to the achievement of independence by the former Spanish colonies of the Caribbean Sea and littoral or give such contributions short shrift.

This theme discusses the tremendous contributions that black people made to these countries' independence from Spain. In fact, in some cases their contributions were disproportionate to their numbers. Although observers at the time welcomed their participation and promised that their efforts would be rewarded by ending slavery, in almost every instance when they were no longer needed, they were betrayed and returned to slavery as was the case in the United States of America and Venezuela.