On November 18, 2010 the Republic of Costa Rica filed an application instituting procedures against the Republic of Nicaragua with respect to “incursion, occupation of and use by the Army of Nicaragua the territory of Costa Rica, as well as [alledged] breaches of Nicaragua’s obligations towards Costa Rica”, in particular, violation of the principle of terirtorial integrity and the prohibition of the threat of force or use of force.
In its application Costa Rica stated that Nicaragua in two separate incidents occupied the territory of Costa Rica in connection with the construction of canal from the San Juan River to Lagua Los Portillos (also known as “Harbour Head Lagoon”) and carried out certain related works of dredging in the San Juan River. According to the reprsentatives of Costa Rica, dredging works and canal construction seriously affected the water flow to the Colorado River in Costa Rica and cause additional damage to the Costa Rican territory, including wetlands and national wildlife protected areas, situated in the region. This case was registered in the general list of Court judgements under the title “Certain Activities Carried Out by Nicaragua in the Border Area (Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua)» (hereinafter the “Costa Rica vs. Nicaragua case”).
