Agüeybaná II was troubled by the treatment of his people by the Spanish and attacked them in battle. The Taíno were ultimately defeated at the Battle of Yagüecas. Taínos in Puerto Rico either abandoned the island, were forced to labor as slaves; others were killed off by Spaniard artillery- in what was thought to be, until recently, a complete extinction. Recent genetic studies published between 2018 and 2019 revealed that Taino blood ancestry is still present in the genome of Puerto Ricans. The analyses revealed a narrative more indicative of assimilation and migrations to nearby islands rather than extinction. Although many succumbed to the smallpox epidemic that attacked the islanders in 1519, others survived the genetic bottleneck to produce progeny. Legacy Agüeybaná is admired in Puerto Rico for his dedication to his people and attempting to keep the peace. Puerto Rico has named many public buildings and streets after him: The City of Bayamón has named a high school after him. There is a street in Caguas that honors him. An avenue in the Hato Rey area of San Juan is named after Agüeybaná. Puerto Rico once had an equivalent to the Grammy Award which was awarded annually and was called the "Agüeybaná de Oro" (The Golden Agüeybaná), in honor of the great cacique. Many songs and poems, by poets such as Juan Antonio Corretjer, among others, have been written about Agüeybaná. See also List of Puerto Ricans Agüeybaná II List of Taínos Arasibo Hayuya Jumacao Orocobix Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center Notes References External links History of Puerto Rico 15th-century births 1510 deaths Indigenous Caribbean people Monarchs killed in action Puerto Rican folklore Puerto Rican people of Taíno descent 16th-century monarchs in North America 16th-century indigenous people of the Americas Taíno leaders