Why was the war of Jenkin's ear declared?

The War of Jenkins' Ear was declared in 1739 primarily due to escalating tensions between Britain and Spain over trade and territorial disputes in the Caribbean and Georgia. The conflict was sparked by the incident involving British captain Robert Jenkins, whose ear was allegedly cut off by Spanish coast guard officials, symbolizing the broader grievances of British merchants facing harassment and piracy. This event fueled public outrage in Britain and contributed to the desire for military action against Spain, ultimately leading to the declaration of war.