The Napoleonic Wars and the occupation and destruction of Iberia that resulted from them left Spain bankrupt and unable to financially maintain a presence in South America. Despite the futility of any continued attempts to hold on to the Empire the Spanish government continued to fight a number of wars against South American movements led by Bolivar. Furthermore, they continued to insist on a continued presence on the North American continent, despite a desperate need for the money that the Americans were more than happy to provide.