S4E154 - The Caciques Who Fought Back: Indigenous Resistance in the Caribbean

Before the Aztecs and Incas, the Spanish conquest began in the Caribbean, where Taíno caciques like Hatuey, Caonabo, and Anacaona led fierce resistance against European colonization. This episode explores the early indigenous rebellions in Hispaniola, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, examining how these leaders used guerrilla tactics, alliances, and diplomacy to fight the Spanish. We look at the first major slave revolt in the Americas, the destruction of La Navidad, and the brutal reprisals under Nicolás de Ovando. The episode also delves into the controversial legacy of Hatuey, often called Cuba's first national hero, and the role of Ba...