MADRID, Spain.- In the 18th century, Cuba, due to the strategic position for trade that the port of Havana had, was considered “the key to the New World”. This made many European countries, including England, want to gain control of the Island.
Although on various occasions corsairs and pirates who responded to the English crown had tried to approach the Havana coast, they did not succeed until 1762.
During the Seven Years’ War (England’s conflict with Spain and France), the English saw a chance to end the war if they managed to take Havana.
It was thus that on the morning of June 6, 1762, the English troops, to the surprise of the Spanish, landed in Havana, despite the fact that more than a dozen warships were anchored in the port.
The attacks The English began against the fortresses of Cojímar and Bacuranao, in Guanabacoa.
The region was defended by the Spanish troops, and especially by the ruler of the town of Guanabacoa, known as Pepe Antonio.
The defense of Pepe Antonio, who had brought together some 70 men, went down in history as one of the most significant events in the taking of Havana by the English.
However, the region was controlled and the invaders advanced towards the castle of San Salvador de La Punta, the small Torreón de San Lázaro, the fort of La Chorrera and later towards the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro.
The Morro Castle, one of the emblematic sites of Havana, since 1630 watched over the entry and exit of boats.
After a week of battles, the English already controlled the main Spanish military constructions; but the English domain was not official until August 12, 1762, with the signing of the Spanish capitulation.
The English were ruling in Havana for 11 months. In that period the city had a great economic boom, especially due to the development of trade with nearby islands.
In July 1763, Spain handed over the peninsula of Florida to England to recover Cuba.
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