(posted March 29, 12:33 p.m.)- Nicaragua’s National Recycling Forum and the Nicaraguan Foundation for Sustainable Development (Fundenic-SOS) on Wednesday presented the Central American Court of Justice with a documented proof to back its allegations that Costa Rica has caused serious environmental damages to Nicaragua’s Río San Juan by building a 160-kilometer roadway parallel to the river.

“This contains overwhelming proof to support the complaints made by these two organizations against the damages that the Costa Rican roadway is causing along the banks of the Río San Juan,” said Jaime Incer Barquero, head of the foundation and Nicaragua’s most well-respected environmentalist.

Barquero says the document of proof contains three aspects: the first is related to international laws, norms and regulations that are being violated by Costa Rica; the second relates to the improper procedures (including the lack of environmental impact studies) by Costa Rica; and the third element relates to damages the road will case to the flora and fauna of the river basin, including its aquatic life.

“There is overwhelming proof to say that Costa Rica has violated all international and regional laws and environmental norms, as well as their country’s own judicial order,” said Rosario Sáenz Ruiz, executive director of Fundenic-SOS.

The environmentalists’ proof was presented to the Central American Court, which is expected to rule on the issue in May.

Costa Rica does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

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