Preston–Somers expedition

The Preston–Somers expedition, or the Capture of Caracas, was a series of military actions that took place from late May until the end of July 1595 during the Anglo-Spanish War. The English expedition headed by George Somers and Amyas Preston sailed to the Spanish Main initially intending to support Sir Walter Raleigh's 1595 expedition to the Orinoco.

After failing to meet Raleigh, the expedition went on venture of its own along the coast of the Spanish Province of Venezuela and captured the fort at La Guaira, the port of Caracas. After making an arduous trek through the mountains of the Venezuelan Coastal Range, the English were able to outmanoeuvre the waiting Spanish force and captured the Caracas itself. The failure of a ransom led to the plundering and torching of the city.

The English continued along the coast to capture Coro, before a brief excursion to the Spanish West Indies. Despite the challenges they faced the expedition was a success for the English, who were able to return unmolested with some profit having set out as only a supporting expedition.