100 Chapter 2
prevent the Sandinistas from using the country as their base of operations or to prevent
the Nicaraguan military from chasing Sandinistas into Costa Rican territory, raiding
its towns and villages. On November 21, Nicaraguan troops killed two Costa Rican
civil guards, and the Costa Rican government severed relations with Nicaragua. Skir-
mishes continued until December 26, 1978, when the Somozan government closed
the border indefinitely.
Coding changes: End Date changed from December 27, 1978.
MID#2349
Dispute Number: 2349
Date(s): February 1984 to June 12, 1984
Participants: 93 Nicaragua/94 Costa Rica
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute concerns several clashes between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
involving both military and rebel forces in villages beginning on September 28, 1983,
when Nicaragua vowed to pursue cross-border rebels. The clashes continued until
June 1984, or more than one month after the two countries signed a border pact to
manage rebel violence (May 17).
Coding changes: Start Date changed from September 28, 1983. End Date changed
from September 3, 1984. Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from
None. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#2546
Dispute Number: 2546
Date(s): May 31, 1985 to June 5, 1985
Participants: 93 Nicaragua/94 Costa Rica
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: On May 31, 1985, a Sandinista cross-border attack occurred when the
Nicaraguan Sandinista military troops shelled the village of Tiricias, killing two Costa
Rican civil guardsmen and wounding nine. This attack was a part of the Sandinista
offensive aimed at pushing the Contras further into Costa Rica. Several days later, a
Costa Rican helicopter received fire from Sandinistas as it searched the border areas
for the bodies of the guardsmen killed on May 31. When the Costa Rican government
protested this incident, the Nicaraguan government alleged that Costa Rican troops
had opened fire on a Sandinista outpost, and Nicaraguan forces simply returned fire.
The Costa Rican Civil Guard was put on alert on June 5.
MID#2573
Dispute Number: 2573
Date(s): April 16, 1986
Participants: 93 Nicaragua/94 Costa Rica