Fort Amsterdam Under Spanish Control
Following its capture in 1633, Fort Amsterdam remained under Spanish control for eleven years. During this period, the Spanish strengthened the fort’s defenses, reinforcing its walls and enhancing its artillery to protect against possible Dutch counterattacks.
The Spanish occupation of Fort Amsterdam allowed them to control a crucial point in the Caribbean, disrupting Dutch trade routes and asserting their dominance in the region.
The fort served as a base for Spanish operations in the northeastern Caribbean, illustrating its strategic value beyond just the island of Sint Maarten. The Spanish presence at Fort Amsterdam was a constant thorn in the side of the Dutch until the fort was eventually recaptured in 1644.