The colorful history of San Andres and Providencia, rich in tales of pirate plunder and glory-seeking conquerors began sometime toward the end of 16th century when the archipelago was first discovered by group of Dutch colonists. In 1631 they were expelled by the English puritans who effectively colonized the islands quickly establishing San Andres and Providencia islands as a preferred settlement due to its position and fresh water supplies. In 1633, slaves were shipped to the archipelago to cultivate cotton and tobacco. Before long, Providencia become the main centre for slave trading and strategic hiding place for pirates. Furious with the English prosperity, Spanish unsuccessfully invaded the archipelago in 1635.
Henry Morgan
The battle to control San Andres archipelago continued for over a century between England and Spain, both equally determined to conquer this strategic place. In 1793 the signing of the Versailles Treaty recognized Spain’s sovereignty over the archipelago but Spanish had already lost interest. Before long, groups of former slaves established communities on the islands influenced by their formal English masters with the traditions of their native African homelands.
Shortly after independence from Spain in 1810, Colombia laid claim to the islands fiercely contested by Nicaragua and fighting for islands for over hundred years. The issue was eventually settled in 1928 by signing of the Esguerra-Bárcenas treaty between both governments, confirming Colombia’s sovereignty over the islands. Geographic isolation kept the islands unique character intact and virtually ignored by the rest of the world until 1953 when Colombian government designated islands of San Andres and Providencia as free trade zone and flight service connected the mainland Colombia and San Andres Archipelago. Appetite for commerce and tourism together with Colombian culture slowly upend the archipelago’s 300-year old Raizal identity, pushing it aside in favor of boosting economy. Unqualified and unprepared to make a living on tourism, local islanders were caught off guard leaving the local government with no other option than introducing the restriction on migration to the island in the early 1990s in order to slow the rampant influx of people and to preserve the local culture and identity.
The tourist and commercial boom caused San Andres to lose much of its original character and lifestyle, something that island-wide community initiatives are striving to correct. Colombian mainlanders account for two thirds of San Andres’ population with blend of Latin American and English-Caribbean culture. On the better side, Providencia has managed to preserve much more of its colonial culture, even though tourism is making inroads into the local lifestyle.