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Spain claimed Trinidad between 1498 when Christopher Columbus claimed the island and 1802 when it surrendered its claims to the island at the Treaty of Amiens.

Early period
The Spanish first encountered Trinidad and its inhabitants during third voyage of Columbus in 1498. It was again visited by Niño and Guerra, who were searching for pearls, Ojeda and de la Cosa, and Amerigo Vespucci in 1499. Another Spanish explorer, Pinzón, visited Trinidad in 1500. In the 1500s Trinidad was raided by Spanish slavers.

In 1530 Antonio Sedeño received permission to colonise Trinidad, and formally took possession of the island in November 1530.