* The indigenous population: The island was home to a large population of indigenous people, the Taíno, who were initially friendly to the Spanish but were eventually decimated by disease, overwork, and violence.
* Disease: The tropical climate of Hispaniola made it a breeding ground for diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and dengue fever, which were deadly to the European colonists.
* Lack of resources: The island was not as rich in gold and other natural resources as the Spanish had hoped, which led to economic difficulties for the colony.
* Conflict with other European powers: The Spanish were not the only European power interested in Hispaniola. The French and English also established colonies on the island, which led to conflict and competition for control of the resources.
* The Atlantic slave trade: The Spanish crown encouraged the use of African slaves to work in the mines and on the plantations, leading to the development of a slave trade that brought millions of Africans to the Americas.
Despite these challenges, the Spanish colony in Hispaniola eventually became a successful and prosperous enterprise. The island was used as a base for further exploration and conquest of the Americas, and it became a major producer of sugar, cocoa, and other agricultural products. Hispaniola also played an important role in the development of the Spanish Empire and the global economy.