Ortega’s invasion of a disputed area of land has its timing somewhat “fishy” and perhaps: payback. Around October 15, 2010 Costa Rica submitted a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to step into the Colombia-Nicaragua maritime border dispute, saying that it affects the country’s interests in the Caribbean Sea.

The ICJ, which will adjudicate the dispute between the two countries, held a special hearing to process Costa Rica’s request after Honduras asked to be involved in the conflict.

Colombia supports Costa Rica’s intervention, while Nicaragua opposes Costa Rica getting involved in its affairs Ortega’s team incensed because Costa Rica has no party to this dispute but just to make itself known..

Paul Reichler, a legal expert from the Nicaraguan delegation, said that “Costa Rica has not shown how the verdict [in the dispute with Colombia] will affect their legal interests.”

“The legal interest of Costa Rica is already defined in the 1977 treaty” Reichler said, claiming that Costa Rica now has interests beyond that line.

Julio Londoño Paredes, an international relations professor who heads the Colombian delegation, pointed to the 1977 treaty as well, saying that its purpose was to “preserve peace and promote collaboration between countries” and should therefore be respected.

“Costa Rica has met all the requirements” to participate in the dispute, Paredes added. The right to participate has only to do with promoting peace between countries. Costa Rica has no direct involvement in the maritime dispute except the aforementioned rights. The dispute began in 2001 when Managua asked Bogota to define their maritime boundary.

In 2007, the ICJ recognized Colombian sovereignty over the islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, and said they would determine the other maritime boundaries which are under dispute. In July 2010, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega threatened military action if Colombia handed out oil concessions in the disputed territory.

This intervention by Costa Rica serves no purpose and it is possible that Ortega who is tired with Costa Rica controlling the last part of the San Juan river, which empty’s into the Carribean waters. From a maritime navigational perspective, Costa Rica holds all the cards when a discussion of a new canal is proposed. Ortegas invasion eliminated Costa Rica hand in the high stakes game of Central American politics. It was less than 25 years ago that this region was filled with war and and disorder. It was not until the Honduras debacle did anything of significance happen in this region since the military fighting has stopped.

It is possible this is payback and only Daniel knows the true answer but it is probably a combined of the two: payback and a new canal with Chavez.

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