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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) dictated today a historical sentence regarding the cases of “Maritime Delimitation Claim in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean (Costa Rica v. Nicaragua)” and “Terrestrial Frontier in the North Area of Isla Portillos (Costa Rica v. Nicaragua)”, in which it established the delimitation of the maritime frontier between both countries and ordered Nicaragua to move out the military camp they installed in the beach of Isla Portillos, Costa Rican territory.
The first appeal was presented by Costa Rica on February 25, 2014 and the second case was presented in January 16, 2017. Costa Rica asked the ICJ to establish its maritime boundaries in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea with Nicaragua once and for all to end repeated border disputes with its Central American neighbor, and to declare Nicaragua’s establishment of a military post on the beach on Isla Calero illegal.
The sentence of the International Court of Justice determined:
- The only territory that belongs to Nicaragua in this area is the Portillos Lake and the coastline that separates it from the ocean.
- According to the judges, Nicaragua established the military camp in Costa Rican territory, violating the country’s sovereignty.
- Nicaragua is ordered, immediately, to move their military camp out of the beach of Isla Portillos.
“Costa Rica has come out victorious once again. The Court has agreed with Costa Rica’s position with regards to the intentions of Nicaragua of appropriating of Costa Rican maritime space for the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas. But more importantly, Costa Rica has been able to reclaim 10,000 square kilometers in the Caribbean Sea and guaranteeing the access to the thermal dome (a marine biodiversity hotspot) and the extensive fishing areas in the North Pacific zone. The Government of Costa Rica also celebrates that the Court has ordered Nicaragua to move out the military camp that they established in the beach of Isla Portillos. These decisions reaffirm the relevance of International Law for Costa Rica as an effective mechanism of resolution of international disputes in a peaceful manner”, stated Manuel Gonzalez, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
This Friday, the International Justice Court also ruled that Nicaragua has to pay $378,890 to Costa Rica for the damages caused in Calero Island, also known as Portillos Island. Even thought this was a much lower amount than the compensation requested by Costa Rica, it is double what Nicaragua expected to pay.
