An Independent Klein-Venedig?

I've been hoping to write a TL in which the Habsburg colony of Klein Venedig manages to survive to the present day, resulting in a German-speaking republic or federation in the region of OTL Venezuela. What PoDs would have to occur to lead to a more successful Klein Venedig colony?
 
I'd hate to be lame and bump my own thread, but this one descended far into the bowels of the board without any replies... So... Shameless bump?
 
" By 1541 disputes arose with Spain, which stripped the bankers of control of their colony in 1556. Many of the German colonists died from tropical diseases, to which they had no immunity, or hostile Indian attacks during frequent journeys deep into Indian territory in search of gold."


So avoid the disputes with Spain, or resolve them more successfully, and focus less on gold that isn't there - or otherwise deal with the Indians better. The latter seems more devastating.
 
I was thinking something similar regarding the gold hunts. What disputes did they have with the Spanish, I ponder? I've found it pretty hard to find any good sources about this online.
 
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