History
Coche Island, formerly known as Cochén by the native Indians, was discovered by Spaniards in 1528, who used it to exploit salt and oysters. Near its coast, on the 24th of April 1815, famous flag Spaniard warship Pedro Alcántara was sunk by the Venezuelan patriots, together with its 1000 crew members, weapons and the treasure of Margarita´s Virgin of the Valley, taken over by General Pablo Morillo as ´payment´ for war expenses. The ship is still there deep into the water. Two of its canyons were recovered and are shown in the Library Museum of Nueva Cádiz in the City of Asunción.