Luis María de Salazar, Ángel Laborde and the Defence of Cuba, 1825–9: A Study in Combined Leadership

Spain’s naval defence of Cuba and Puerto Rico against a combined attack from Colombia and Mexico is examined from the point of view of the two Spanish Admirals who led the Navy at the time. It considers three main aspects of the actions in this conflict of Luis María de Salazar Navy Minister and Ángel Laborde commander of the Apostadero de la Habana (Havana Station): the nature of the threat, the situation itself and the main protagonists. The aim of the attack was to destroy the Havana fleet and help secure the nationalists’ gains at a time of Spanish economic weakness after the Napoleonic struggles. Salazar was an experienced and effective navy minister, Laborde a proactive holder of his post, unusually spending more time at sea leaving his deputy to manage the dockyard. In straitened circumstances Salazar ably oversaw the building of the frigates Iberia and Lealtad and refitting of other vessels and headed off problems with payment and morale of sailors to ensure Laborde had a decent force available. The latter’s preemptive attack on Cartagena was one of several actions and circumstances that strengthened the Spanish hand. The pairs’ successful leadership was vital in preserving Spanish rule in Cuba and Puerto Rico in the 19th century with lasting effects on Spanish naval management which became less tolerant of officers’ weaknesses and more geared to supporting able staff.