In contrast to the Guinean colony, Arguin had been a colony before: In 1520, Portugal had built a fort on the main island, which with all of Portugal came under Spanish control in 1580.
Erinevalt Guinea kolooniast oli Arguin varem koloonia olnud: aastal 1520 rajas Portugal peasaarele kindluse, mis läks aastal 1580 koos Portugaliga Hispaania kontrolli alla.