Colombia’s government is not happy with the outcome of the court’s ruling.  The Hague court delineated a horseshoe around the English-speaking archipelago, which was first settled by Protestants and claimed by Colombia in the early 19th century. President Santos of Colombia, bowing to pressure from environmentalist and local politicians, announced last year would be no oil exploration in the islands’ waters (the reef is a divers’ paradise). All indications are that Nicaragua will drill. A good Oxfam blog posting on the victory against drilling.  And a description of the Old Providence barrier reef at the islands, designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000.

See also AP correspondent Andrew Selsky’s 2003  piece on the islands.