Costa Rica takes dispute to court

By Geraldine Coughlan
BBC News, The Hague

Nicaragua has already sent troops to its southern border

Costa Rica has filed a case against Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in a dispute over who should control a river.

The argument over the San Juan river, which runs between the two countries, escalated this month.

Costa Rica recently demanded the right to run police patrols along the San Juan, which Nicaragua says falls within its borders.

The dispute has strained their diplomatic relations since 1998.

Costa Rica argues that Nicaragua is restricting Costa Rican boats and passengers - violating a treaty signed between the countries in 1858.

In its claim, it said Nicaragua had threatened to impose economic sanctions if Costa Rica brought the dispute to The Hague.

Nicaragua recalled its ambassador to Costa Rica last week and has already sent troops to its southern border.

The Nicaraguan government maintains it has full sovereignty over the Rio San Juan and that Costa Rica has only limited commercial navigation rights on part of the river.

Nicaragua said Costa Rica's claim to the court constitutes a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty.