International Border Dispute

Author: Rolando Ernesto Tellez

The Rio San Juan or San Juan River in Central America has always been part of Nicaragua

At present, the big Nicaragua Lake (Cocibolca), along with other rivers, flows into such River. Unfortunately, Costa Rica has always wanted to own and use Rio San Juan for tourist purposes. Because of the recent river dredging projects undertaken by Nicaragua, the Costa Rican government has complained before the Organization of American States (OAS). Likewise, the Costa Rican "army" is bringing heavily armed troops to the area.

Nicaragua is not interested in War with its neighbors, and for this reason, it is using the corresponding diplomatic channels, the Cleveland Award, and the decision made by the International Court of Justice in July 2009.

Costa Rica has always tried to claim rights that are not set forth in the Treaty of Limits of April 15, 1858 and Cleveland Award or under general international law. As decided by the Hague, it established Nicaragua's dominion and sovereign jurisdiction over the water of the San Juan River, and Costa Rica only has navigational right "for the purposes of commerce." When the treaty was signed the word ‘commerce' meant only the purchase and sale of merchandise or physical goods, excluding other services like passenger transport. Yet, the Court recently extended the meaning of such term. Furthermore, President Cleveland in 1858 stated that "Costa Rica does not have right of navigation on such River with vessels of war."

As a translator with 27 years of experience I know that is very difficult to translate old documents into today's language

Nicaragua has its exclusive right to dredge the San Juan river to return the flow of water to that of 1858 even if this affects the flow of water to other present day recipients of the flow like the Colorado River.

Unfortunately, Nicaragua does not have the publicity resources on the internet and other media to let the world know that Costa Rica has already taken part of the original Nicaraguan territory, known as Guanacaste. Costa Rica has also joined Colombia in their efforts to continue stealing territory from the second poorest country on the Western Hemisphere. I urge the corresponding international bodies to do justice.

 

Rolando Ernesto Tellez

spanishenglishlegaldictionary.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-law-articles/international-border-dispute-3623259.html

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