 The novel is set in 1830 , at the tail end of the initial campaign to secure Latin America 's independence from Spain . Most of Spanish America had gained independence by this date ; only Cuba and Puerto Rico remained under Spanish rule . 
 The novel is set in 1830 , at the tail end of the initial campaign to secure Latin America <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>independence from Spain . Most of Spanish America <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> gained independence by this date ; only Cuba and Puerto Rico remained under Spanish rule . 
Da novel is set in 1830 , at tdatail end of the initial campaign to secure Latin America  independence from Spain . Most of Spanish America done gained independence by this date ; only Cuba and Puerto Rico remained under Spanish rule .