ICJ Determines Caribbean Islands Belong to Colombia

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a decision today in the case concerning the Territorial and Maritime Dispute (Nicaragua v. Colombia).  The ICJ unanimously found that Colombia has sovereignty over the Caribbean islands at Alburquerque, Bajo Nuevo, East-Southeast Cays, Quitasueno, Roncador, Serrana and Serranilla.  The ICJ also set a single maritime boundary delimiting the continental shelf and exclusive economic zones of Nicaragua and Colombia and rejected Nicaragua's claim for an extended continental shelf.  In addition, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's claims that Colombia had violated international law.  This decision must come as a disappointment to Nicaragua, which initiated the dispute and had argued for greater sovereignty and control over both the land and sea areas.  More information may be found in this ICJ press release.

(cgb)