Costa Rica submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the grounds for its $ 6.7 million claim to Nicaragua, in compensation for damages caused in Isla Portillos, a border area invaded in 2010 by the Nicaraguan army.
On December 16th, 2015, the ICJ condemned Nicaragua for the occupation of Isla Portillos, a wetland of about 3 km2 located on the banks of San Juan River, which marks the boundary division between both countries.
The international court ruled in favor of Costa Rica, which stated that Nicaragua not only invaded its territory but caused environmental damage by digging several canals to alter the course of San Juan River and cut down a lot of trees in the area.
The ICJ allowed authorities from both countries to set the amount of the reparation by mutual agreement, but the government of Managua has rejected Costa Rica estimate. That’s why the Court was in charge of establishing the amount.