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Veragua or Veraguas was the name of five Spanish colonial territorial entities in Central America, beginning in the 16th century during the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

The term was based on a Central American indigenous peoples name for the region. It was used for colonial territories in present-day Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.

Indigenous People in Veraguas

Chronicles narrate stories of the indigenous groups encountered by the explorers, as they did not come across a solitary territory. On the contrary, these ethnicities posed challenges for the conquistadors because many of these groups were strong and resilient, as in the case of the Doraces, also known as Dorás, Dorces, Dorados, or Dorasques.^[1]

The territory of the Doraces was not characterized by the dominance of a single ethnicity. Instead, it constituted a broader politico-cultural entity where various ethnicities and languages coexisted. These ethnicities formed tribes that were allied with the Doraces. Among the tribes associated with the Doraces, the Suríes, Chalivas, Chumulos, Dolegas, Querébalos, Bugabas, Iribolos, Chiriluos, Suasimis, Saribas, Calderas, Gualaca, Montijo, Veragua, Guabalá, Tabasará, Buricas, Vareclas, Boquerón, Musá, Bulabá, Barú, Mariato, Dures, Duraria, Aburema, Aoyaques, Carabaro, Nusa, Cébaco, Borasi, Guaniaga, Tabor, Chiracona, Raquegua, Espalaba, Caizanes, Dururua, and others stood out. These tribes constituted a diverse community that coexisted under the authority and rule of the Doraces within the respective territory.^[2]

Territorial entities

The Spanish colonial territorial entities with the name Veragua include:

Governorate of Veragua — 1502–1537

The Governorate of Veragua (Gobernación de Veragua) (1502–1537) included the Caribbean coast of present-day Nicaragua (Mosquito Coast) and Costa Rica and the coast of Panama as far as the Río Belén, namely, the coastline explored by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage, in 1502. It was this area that Columbus (and his heirs) claimed as his private domain, but which the Crown did not recognize. Spanish governors of this territory were Diego de Nicuesa and Felipe Gutiérrez y Toledo.

Duchy of Veragua — 1537–1560

The Duchy of Veragua, created in 1537 from the Gobernación de Veragua in territory now belonging to Panama. The first duke was Luis Colón y Toledo, grandson and heir of Columbus, who received the title after a long lawsuit with the Crown of Castile. In 1556 he returned the territory to the Crown but retained the ducal title.

Royal Veragua — 1537–1540

Royal Veragua (Veragua Real) (1537–1540) included those territories of the Governorate of Veragua not included in the Duchy of Veragua. These territories were in two parts, with the duchy separating them. In 1540 the western part, together with territories from Castilla de Oro, became the Province of Nuevo Cartago y Costa Rica within the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala (Kingdom of Guatemala).^[3]

Province of Veragua — 1560–1821

The Province of Veragua, formed in 1560 from territories formerly in the Duchy of Veragua. Its first governor was Francisco Vázquez. This territory, slightly expanded to the west and the south, became a dependency of the Intendencia of Panama, and in 1821, of the Republic of Colombia.

Province of Veragua — 1821–1903

In the year 1849, on May 26, the Senate and House of Representatives of New Granada, convened in Congress, issued a decree to divide the Province of Veraguas into two provinces. The first province would be composed of the canton of Santiago and would be named the Province of Veraguas, with its capital in the city of Santiago. The second province, composed of the canton of Alanje, would be named Chiriquí, with its capital in the town of David.^[4]

Present day

Veraguas Province

Veraguas Province is a present-day Province of the Republic of Panama.

References

^ Byrzdett, Elyjah. Ducado de Veragua (in Spanish). ISBN 9798846871274.
^ Byrzdett, Elyjah. Ducado de Veragua. ISBN 9798846871274.
^ Byrzdett, Elyjah. Ducado de Veragua (in Spanish). p. 33. ISBN 9798846871274.
^ Byrzdett, Elyjah. Ducado de Veragua (in Spanish). p. 100. ISBN 9798846871274.