OAS urges Colombia, Nicaragua to abide by UN court ruling

The Organization of American States (OAS) on Tuesday urged Colombia and Nicaragua to abide by the ruling of the UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) on disputed territories and maritime borders between the two countries.

Speaking at the Nicaraguan National Assembly where the ICJ's ruling was formally announced and discussed by the Nicaraguan government, OAS representative in Nicaragua Ricardo Seintenfus said international laws and legal decisions are made to be respected.

Also at the assembly, President of Nicaragua's General Attorney's Office Julio Centeno Gomez said international verdicts cannot be ignored. He expressed his confidence that Colombia will understand its role in strengthening international organizations.

President of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court of Justice Rafael Solis Cerda said it was unlikely for Colombia to reject the ICJ verdict.

Rene Nunez, president of the Nicaraguan National Assembly, called on the "sister people and government of Colombia to respect The Hague court's verdict" to promote a harmonious relationship between the two countries.

Nicaraguan Army chief Julio Cesar Avilez said the army was ready to conduct coordinated exercises with Colombia to safeguard the stability of the zone in the Caribbean.

The Hague-based ICJ on Monday ratified Colombia's sovereignty over seven islands in the western Caribbean's San Andres archipelago, while

expanding Nicaragua's jurisdiction in the Caribbean Sea, which is rejected by the Colombian government.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said Monday his government was willing to allow Colombian fishermen living on the San Andres islands to continue fishing in the area, now that it has been officially recognized as part of Nicaragua's sovereign Caribbean territory.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos criticized the ICJ's decision in his first reaction.