MEANWHILE, BACK IN CENTRAL AMERICA:
The United Nations’ International Court of Justice on Monday began hearings over a maritime and land boundary dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Costa Rica presented its case to the court in The Hague on Monday, while Nicaragua is set to present its case on Thursday.
There are two cases — Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua: Maritime Delimitation in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, as well as Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua: Land Boundary in the Northern Part of Isla Portillos.
Circa 1983, this might have sparked a super-power confrontation, with Sandinista Nicaragua bullying army-less Costa Rica. OK, the 82nd Airborne and U.S. Marines in the region are Costa Rica’s military protection corps, but we’re not supposed to say that out loud because, you know…because not having a military makes lefties feel self-righteous…
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The countries have been at odds for year over territorial disputes, particularly over a construction project near the remote mouth of the San Juan River that marks their shared border in the Caribbean.
In 2015, the court ruled Nicaragua violated Costa Rica’s territory by establishing a military camp in the area.
Stay tuned.
SOMEWHAT COMPARABLE, IF YOU’VE A NARROW DEFINITION OF COMPARABLE: A much more serious territorial clash between Greece and Turkey.
The captain of a Turkish cargo ship said it received warning shots from the Greek coast guard Monday in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Rhodes island.
The M/V ACT was about 3 miles off the coast of Rhodes and carrying steel from the southern port of İskenderun to İzmit in the northwest, Turkey-based Deniz Haber Ajansı reported.
The captain, Haluk Sami Kalkavan, said they use this route regularly and it’s in international waters.
The Greek coast guard warned the ship to divert its course to Rhodes. Kalkavan responded he would not follow the directive and informed Turkish officials.
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The Greek Coast Guard said the ship was in Greek waters and had reports that it was carrying narcotics.
Stay tuned.