Why did the Spanish build a fort at Omoa by 1779?

During the 18th century, the Spanish Bourbon kings made a sustained effort to recover Caribbean coastal areas that had been encroached upon by other European powers and local threats. The construction of a fort at Omoa on the Gulf of Honduras, completed by 1779, served as a manifestation of this strategic initiative to reclaim and defend the region.12

Historically, the development of Spanish society in Honduras had been hindered by persistent attacks from pirates and buccaneers, as well as a concerted effort by the British to control the coastal areas of Central America. For long periods, the Spanish utilized a "soft defense" against these threats by retreating to the highlands. The fort at Omoa represented a shift toward a more assertive military presence intended to secure the coast against these ongoing challenges.12