Costa Rica has threatened to take its border dispute with Nicaragua to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice if no other solution is found.

On Wednesday, Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla issued a 48-hour ultimatum to its neighbor to remove troops that San Jose says are stationed on Costa Rican territory.

“Costa Rica is not afraid to go before any international body,” Chinchilla told CNN en Espanol on Wednesday.

The dispute is over a parcel of land on the Atlantic coast, along the San Juan River, known as Calero Island. Both sides claim ownership of the island.

Last week, the Nicaraguan government sent troops to the territory and planted its flag there.

Costa Rica, which is one of the few countries in the world without a military, immediately demanded the withdrawal of the troops, saying that it has been invaded.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is to meet Thursday to discuss the issue.

Last week, OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza visited both countries and also flew over the disputed land to brace his mediation efforts.

In his report, Insulza said both Chinchilla and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega have so-far agreed to bilateral talks and that the military and police presence near the disputed area should not be escalated.

However, the dispute remains far from being solved.

Chinchilla has said she will only enter border talks with Ortega if Nicaragua pulled its troops out of the disputed area “as a sign of good will.”

Otherwise, she stressed, no talks would be possible.

She also threatened to send the Costa Rican police to the enclave if the troops do not pull out.

nica flag, nicaragua chinchilla

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