In Territorial and Maritime Dispute, the International Court of Justice found Colombia sovereign over the disputed maritime features and drew a single maritime boundary
Background
On 6 December 2001 the Republic of Nicaragua filed an Application instituting proceedings against the Republic of Colombia before the International Court of Justice, over what it described as legal issues concerning title to territory and maritime delimitation.
Colombia filed preliminary objections to jurisdiction on 21 July 2003, which suspended the proceedings on the merits.
In its Judgment on the preliminary objections, rendered on 13 December 2007, the Court found that the treaty signed in 1928 between Colombia and Nicaragua had settled the issue of sovereignty over the islands of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
On 4 May 2011 the Court rendered two Judgments, ruling that the applications of Costa Rica and of Honduras for permission to intervene could not be granted.
In its Judgment on the merits, rendered on 19 November 2012, the Court found that Colombia has sovereignty over the maritime features in dispute — the Alburquerque Cays, the East-Southeast Cays, Roncador, Serrana, Quitasueño, Serranilla and Bajo Nuevo — and drew a single maritime boundary.
The Court's record notes that Quitasueño comprises only a single, tiny island, known as QS 32, together with a number of low-tide elevations.
In plain words
ICJ International Court of Justice — The principal judicial organ of the United Nations, which decides legal disputes submitted to it by States.
Preliminary objections preliminary objections — Objections a respondent State raises to the Court's jurisdiction or to the admissibility of a claim, before the merits are heard.