When did the Caribbean become a British empire?

The Caribbean began to be incorporated into the British Empire in the early 17th century, with the establishment of the first British colony on Saint Kitts in 1624. Over the following decades, the British expanded their presence throughout the region, acquiring key territories such as Barbados in 1625 and Jamaica in 1655. By the 18th century, the Caribbean had become a significant part of the British Empire, with numerous islands under British control, primarily for sugar production and trade.