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The Spanish government received many complaints from the nations whose ships were being attacked by the Pirate Cofresí, as he became to be known. The government generally turned a blind eye to piracy against the ships of other nations, but now felt compelled to have Cofresí pursued and captured. On one occasion Cofresí and his men attacked eight ships, among them an American vessel. In 1824, Captain John Slout, commander of the U.S. schooner "Grampus", engaged Cofresí in a fierce battle. Cofresí was captured along with 11 members of his crew, and they were turned over to the Spanish government. Cofresí was jailed in El Castillo del Morro in San Juan.
Cofresí was tried by a Spanish military court, found guilty and, on March 29, 1825, executed by firing squad. He is buried in the Old San Juan Cemetery (Cementerio Antiguo de San Juan). His widow Juana died a year later.
It is believed by some that part of Cofresí's treasure may still be hidden in the caves of Sabana Seca, close to a restaurant called "La Guarida del Pirata Cofresí" (Pirate Cofresí's Hideout).
There is a monument to Cofresí in Boquerón Bay in Cabo Rojo. It was sculpted by Jose Buscaglia Guillermety. The town of Cofresí, 10 km west of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and, was named after him, and many poems, songs and books have been written about him:
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