There are very few countries in the world that are calling for the extension of their continental shelf, from their beaches to 200 miles further out to sea, and Nicaragua has been one of those countries to date. But lost. The International Court of Justice has rejected Nicaragua’s request to extend its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, even though that extension overlaps with Colombia’s economic zone. The Central American country initiated the court proceedings in 2013.
“The Court concludes that the continental shelf that overlaps another state cannot be extended,” said Joan Donoghue, President of the International Court of Justice, from The Hague. The court vote was 13 to 4 in favor of Colombia. The ICJ says that the Colombian islands of San Andrés and Providencia, which lie in the Caribbean Sea and are in the midst of a dispute between the two countries, would be affected by Nicaragua’s expansion and that this archipelago has territorial sea rights and an exclusive economic zone.
“Great win for Colombia. “Congratulations to Secretary of State Holguin and to everyone who made this great legal diplomatic achievement possible for our country in The Hague,” said former President Juan Manuel Santos, who ruled Colombia from 2010 to 2018 and was responsible for the legal strategy as president Nicaragua has requested this extension. Two previous judgments had tended to favor Nicaragua, recognizing greater maritime expansion and the country’s right to control fishing and other activities in its sphere of influence, but leaving the sovereignty of San Andrés y Providencia in Colombia’s hands.
“With this ruling we hope to end the border controversy and focus on the sustainable development of our archipelago,” President Gustavo Petro wrote on his Twitter account, celebrating the International Court of Justice’s decision. Former President Iván Duque, who ruled from 2018 to 2022, also commented on his social networks: “Colombia has defended its sovereignty despite withdrawing from the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice after its unfair judgment in 2012,” Duque wrote in his Twitter account about the 2012 decision that recognized greater maritime expansion for the Central American country. The decision to retire in 2012 was made by former President Santos. “Colombia won today, but it must maintain the position of the inapplicability of the 2012 judgment. The borders of the homeland can only be changed by a treaty ratified by Congress. “They shouldn’t give up an inch of territory,” Duque added in his message.
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