How did the Dutch capture and lose Salvador in the 1620s?

During the period when Portugal was united with Spain (1580–1640), Brazil became a target for Spain's enemies, including the newly independent Netherlands.

In 1624, the Dutch seized the city of Salvador in the state of Bahia. However, their occupation of the city was brief, as they held it only until 1625 before losing control of the territory.1

This military action was part of the broader efforts of the Dutch West India Company, which was founded in 1621 specifically to conduct economic warfare against Spanish and Portuguese colonial interests. While the Dutch later achieved more sustained success in Brazil by capturing Pernambuco in 1630, their initial attempt to maintain a foothold in Salvador during the 1620s proved temporary.21