The statue was made from cannon captured from the British in 1797 following the Battle of San Juan, a failed attack on Puerto Rico.

[2] The King of Spain, Alfonso XII, contributed funds toward the erection of the statue.

[3] This occurred a day before the visit of the Spanish king, Felipe VI, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the foundation of San Juan.

[3] It was reported that the Boriken Libertarian Forces claimed responsibility for the damage to the statue.

Miguel Romero, the mayor of San Juan, defended the reinstallation of the statue.