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Roberto Cofresi (June 17, 1791-March 29, 1825)) born Roberto Cofresi y Ramirez de Arellano in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, is Puerto Rico's most famous pirate and is better known as "El Pirata Cofresi".
There are two versions as to the where Cofresi's father came from. The first version is that his father was a German named Franz Von Kupferschein, who changed his surname to the more easier pronounced Cofresi. The second version is that his father was Francisco Cofresi from Trieste, Italy. However, one thing is certain and that is that his mother was Maria Germana Ramirez de Arellano from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico (She died when he was 4 years old). Cofresi went to primary school in his hometown. As a young child, raised on the coastal shores with the sounds of the waves pounding on the beach, Cofresi would spend hours and days daydreaming about someday becoming an adventurous sailor in the seas. Those dreams were mostly inspired by the tales that he heard from the sailors who visited his town. Cofresi had a small boat which he baptized "El Mosquito" (The Mosquito).
Cofresi married a young lady from Curacao named Juana Creitoff in the San Miguel Arcangel Parish of Cabo Rojo. They had two sons that died soon after birth. However, married life could not keep him land bound and soon he set out to sea to seek fame and fortune. In his schooner "Ana", Cofresi and his crew, made up of men from Cabo Rojo, attacked ships whose flags were not of the Spanish Crown. Cofresi was well liked by his men and the people from the coasts of Puerto Rico, who also protected him from the authorities. According to Puerto Rican historian, Aurelio Tio, Cofresi shared his spoils with the needy, especially his family and friends. He was considered by many as the Puerto Rican version of Robin Hood. In 1822, Cofresi and Juana had a daughter which they named Maria Bernada.
The Spanish government received many complaints from the nations whose ships were being attacked by the Pirate Cofresi, as he became to be known. The Spanish government which normally encouraged piracy against other nations, was pressured and felt obligated to go after and capture the famous pirate. However, before this could happen, Cofresi and his men attacked 8 ships, among them an American ship. In 1824, Captian John Slout of the U.S. Naval Forces and his schooner "Grampus" engaged Cofresi in a fierce battle. The Pirate Cofresi was captured along with eleven of his crew members and was turned over to the Spanish Government. He was sent to jail in El Castillo del Morro in San Juan.
The Pirate Roberto Cofresi was judged by a Spanish Council of War, found guilty and excecuted by firing squad, on March 29, 1825. He is buried in the "Old San Juan" cementary. A year later (1826), his wife Juana also passed away.
It is believed that some of Cofresi's treasure is still hidden in the caves of Sabana Seca close to a restaurant called "La Guarida del Pirata Cofresi" (Pirate Cofresi's Hideout).
There is a monument of The Pirate Roberto Cofesi in Boqueron Bay in Cabo Rojo which honors him. Many poems, songs and books have been written about Cofresi. Among the books written about him are: "Roberto Cofresi: "El Bravo Pirata de Puerto Rico" (Spanish) by Edwin Vazquez, "El Mito de Cofresi en la Narrativa Antillana" (Spanish) by Robert fernandez Valledor, "The Pirate of Puerto Rico" by Lee Cooper, "El Marinero, Bandolero, Pirata y Contrabandista Roberto Cofresi" (Spanish) by Walter R. Cardona Bonet, "Das Kurge Heldenhafte Leben Des Don Roberto Cofresi" (German) by Angelika Mectel. The town of Cofresi, in the Dominican Republic and located 10 km west of Puerto Plata, was named after Roberto Cofresi. He is an important part of the culture and lore of Puerto Rico.