How did the encomienda system affected the tainos?

The encomienda system had a devastating impact on the Tainos, the indigenous people of the Caribbean. Under this system, Spanish colonizers were granted control over Taino communities, forcing them into labor and extracting tribute in the form of gold and agricultural products. This exploitation led to severe population decline due to harsh working conditions, diseases brought by Europeans, and violence. Ultimately, the Tainos faced significant cultural disruption and near extinction as a result of the encomienda system.