Western Hemisphere 101
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Nicaraguan military forces crossed into Costa Rican territory, and a clash
occurred between the Sandanista troops and the Costa Rican Civil Guard.
MID#2735
Dispute Number: 2735
Date(s): September 2, 1987
Participants: 93 Nicaragua/94 Costa Rica
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: A clash broke out between Costa Rican and Nicaraguan border patrol
boats after Nicaragua briefly seized a Costa Rican vessel. Both countries claimed the
seizure occurred on its territory.
Coding changes: Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#4146
Dispute Number: 4146
Date(s): March 3, 1995 to March 1995
Participants: 94 Costa Rica/93 Nicaragua
Outcome (and Settlement): Released (Unclear)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Costa Rican police crossed the border into Nicaragua on March 3, 1995,
in pursuit of illegal immigrants from Nicaragua. Nicaraguan police then arrested the
13 Costa Rican Civil Guard members. Two days later, two Nicaraguan police were
arrested in Costa Rica after stopping for water. The two countries exchanged the
arrested officers on March 6, 1995.
MID#4147
Dispute Number: 4147
Date(s): July 16, 1998 to August 1998
Participants: 93 Nicaragua/94 Costa Rica
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Nicaragua and Colombia had separate claims over navigation rights to the
San Juan River that defines part of their border. On July 16, 1998, a Nicaraguan patrol
boat seized a Costa Rican patrol, stating the Costa Ricans were not allowed arms on
the river. The countries seemingly settled the issue with an agreement on July 30, but
additional rhetoric by Nicaragua led to Costa Rica to move troops to the border a few
days after.