Caonabo

Caonabo was a Taíno cacique (chief) from the island of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic and Haiti) during the early period of European colonization. He was one of the five principal caciques on the island at the time of Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1492. Caonabo controlled the territory of Maguana, a rich gold-producing region in the central part of the island.

He is primarily known for his resistance to Spanish rule. In 1493, he led an attack on La Navidad, the first Spanish settlement in the New World, destroying the fort and killing the Spanish settlers left behind by Columbus during his first voyage. This act of defiance was fueled by the Spaniards' mistreatment of the Taíno people and their attempts to control resources.

In response to the destruction of La Navidad, Columbus, upon his return to Hispaniola during his second voyage, ordered Caonabo's capture. Alonso de Ojeda, a Spanish captain, is credited with capturing Caonabo through a clever ruse, purportedly offering him a set of polished copper manacles as a symbol of royal authority.

Caonabo was subsequently transported to Spain as a prisoner. He died at sea during the voyage, preventing him from ever reaching Spain. He is considered a symbol of indigenous resistance to European colonization in the Americas and a significant figure in the early history of Hispaniola.