No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveWorld court grants Colombia disputed Caribbean islands

World court grants Colombia disputed Caribbean islands

THE HAGUE – The International Court of Justice on Monday ruled Colombia has sovereignty over all small islands previously disputed by Nicaragua in the Caribbean Sea, court President Peter Tomka said.

“The court concludes that Colombia, and not Nicaragua, has sovereignty over the disputed islets,” Tomka said, reading the world court ruling. The cays are Albuquerque, Bajo Nuevo, Este-Sudeste, Quitasueño, Roncador and Serranilla.

The ruling gives Colombia control of the waters and seabed immediately surrounding the islands and cays. Nicaragua gains control of a large, horseshoe-shaped area of sea and seabed stretching from its mainland coast around the Colombian islands.

Tomka detailed the coordinates of the new borders, which extend eastward sovereignty of Nicaragua, while maintaining Colombian jurisdiction of an area up to the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, and within 12 nautical miles around Quitasueño and Serrana.

The dispute began in 1928 when Managua ceded Bogota the islands of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina with the signing of a treaty know as Barcenas-Meneses Esguerra, ratified in 1933 when the the United States intervened.

In 1969, Colombia sought to establish the border with Nicaragua in the 82nd meridian, which Managua rejected, claiming that the treaty did not set limits. In 1980, Nicaragua declared the treaty void.

In December 2001, Nicaragua filed a complaint against Colombia at the world court over the sovereignty of the islets, a maritime area of 50,000 square kilometers. Six years later, the court recognized Colombian sovereignty over the three islands.

Last May, the court concluded its analysis of the dispute and summoned both parties to a final reading of the ruling on Monday.

Trending Now

A Closer Look at the Elusive Purple Gallinule in Costa Rica

Quick! Think of a purple bird! It’s a little difficult, right? I searched my brain and came up with a purple martin. A small...

Costa Rica Celebrates 201st Annexation Anniversary With New Nicoya Park

Nearly 200 people joined the Municipality of Nicoya this Sunday to inaugurate a new park at the Annexation Monument, an initiative that blends recreation,...

Empty Stadiums and Inequality Mar Women’s Copa América

Nearly empty stadiums, players' criticism of the organization, and demands for equality in South American football have marked the 2025 Women's Copa América in...

Costa Rica Court Sanctions Road Official Over Delayed Wildlife Crossings

Costa Rica’s wildlife faces perils, as authorities have continously failed to build wildlife crossings. Nonetheless, the Constitutional Court has taken a firm stance in...

Panama Farmer Receives Land Title After 60-Year Wait at Age 109

A 109-year-old Panamanian farmer has received the land title for the property where he lives and works—six decades after first requesting it from the...

Chiquita Executives Convicted in Colombia for Financing Death Squads

Colombian justice on Wednesday sentenced seven former executives of the multinational banana company Chiquita Brands to more than 11 years in prison and a...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica