Costa Rica and Nicaragua

OAS Photo | Border Zone between Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Following a border issue between Costa Rica and Nicaragua over Calero Island in the San Juan River, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States met in an emergency session on November 3, 2010 at the request of the Government of Costa Rica. Both countries expressed their desire to resolve the dispute swiftly and pacifically and invited the Secretary General to lead a Mission to the disputed area and report back to the Permanent Council on November 9, 2010 with its findings.

Photo: Presidency Costa Rica
OAS Secretary General Meets with The President of Costa Rica

Photo: OAS
Above, OAS Secretary General with the President of Nicaragua

During his trip from November 5-8, 2010, OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza met with the President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, and Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, as well as with their respective Foreign Ministers, René Castro and Samuel Santos, and other authorities. Secretary Insulza also flew over both sides of the area involved.

Photo: OAS | Permanent Council on the Costa Rica – Nicaragua Situation

On November 9, Secretary Insulza presented before the Permanent Council of the Organization his report on the visit conducted, which includes four recommendations on possible points of agreement between the two parties: to hold a meeting of the Binational Committee foreseen for November 27; to immediately renew conversations on the demarcation of the border; to avoid the presence of the armed or security forces in the area; and to instruct the pertinent authorities to review the mechanisms of bilateral cooperation to combat drug trafficking, organized crime and arms trafficking in the border area.

On November 12, a Special Meeting of the Permanent Council was convened to discuss the adoption of a Resolution based on the four recommendations made by the Secretary General to the Permanent Council. Following an extended debate, CP/RES. 978 (1777/10) was put to vote, and passed with 21 votes for the Resolution, 1 against and 3 abstentions.

On November 18, the Permanent Council met again to discuss a Resolution which would refer the border issue to a Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of American States. Costa Rica was exercising its right as stipulated in the Charter of the Organization of American States (1948), Chapter X, Articles 61-65. Following debate in the Permanent Council, a vote was taken in which 22 countries voted in favor of Costa Rica’s Resolution, 1 against whilst 7 abstained.

On December 7, 2010, at the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of American States (OAS), the delegations of the Member States approved Resolution RC.26/RES. 1/10 on the situation between Costa Rica and Nicaragua with 24 votes in favor, two votes against and five abstentions, whereby they called upon the parties to implement, simultaneously and without delay, the recommendations adopted through resolution CP/RES. 978 (1777/10), “Situation in the Border Area between Costa Rica and Nicaragua,” of November 12, 2010.

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Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs to Address the Situation in the Border Area between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
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Permanent Council on the Costa Rica and Nicaragua Situation
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Permanent Council Meets to Address Costa Rica – Nicaragua Situation
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Documents

NOTE FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF COSTA RICA REQUESTING THE CONVOCATION OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
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APPOINTMENT OF A FACT-FINDING COMMISSION FOR THE SITUATION ON THE BORDER BETWEEN COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA
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DRAFT RESOLUTION
APPOINTMENT OF A FACT-FINDING COMMISSION FOR THE SITUATION ON THE BORDER BETWEEN COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA
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DRAFT AGENDA OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF CONSULTATION OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
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NOTA DE LA MISION PERMANENTE DE COSTA RICA (Only available in spanish)
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DOCUMENTS OF THE MEETING OF CONSULTATION OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION BETWEEN COSTA RICA AND NICARAGUA (Approved at the meeting held on December 7, 2010)
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PROCEDURE OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF CONSULTATION OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Adopted at the first plenary session, held on December 7, 2010)
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Participants List (Provisional Version)
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REPORT OF THE OAS SECRETARY GENERAL PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION CP/RES. 979 (1780/10)
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ORDER OF BUSINESS
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Press Release

Meeting of Water Authorities

Water Authorities from Costa Rica and Nicaragua will meet in the border area, under the auspices of the Peace Fund, to identify potential joint development activities stemming from the San Juan River Basin Project (OEA-GEF/Pro-Cuenca San Juan). This is a collaborative effort between the Peace Fund and the Department of Sustainable Development.