Lone Colombian takes on World Court over San Andres ruling

by | Feb 7, 2013

san andres

In the ongoing territorial dispute between Colombia and Nicaragua regarding the maritme borders of the San Andres islands, one quixotic Colombian is taking matters into his own hands claiming the Hague ruling violates Colombia’s constitution.

In November of 2012 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) handed over a large portion of the water surrounding the San Andres archipelago to Nicaragua. The ruling sparked a nationalistic fervor in Colombia as many claimed that the ruling would decimate the San Andresano fishing industry. However, fishing represents only 4% of the San Andres economy.

BACKGROUND: San Andres islanders ‘very anxious’ after ICJ ruling: Governor

Pedro Nel Pinzon, like many, was outraged by the controversial ICJ decision. Unlike many, however, he has decided that he won’t take the ruling lying down. Pinzon, argues that an international verdict cannot supercede the autonomy of the Colombian constitution.

The former president of the constitutional court, Jose Gregorio Hernandez, disagrees. According to the former president, the entire nature of the suit is “absurd and lacking in logic.”

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