dec 18, 1836 - First Colombian Encroachment

Description:

In June, fearing the growing British Influence in the region from their interference with Colombian claims in the Mosquito Coast, Colombia [or New Granada as it was known at the time] proclaimed the archipelago of Bocas del Toro was under Colombian jurisdiction. The Islands were occupied in December.

While Costa Rica asked for help from the other Central American states to recover the region, but these could not be granted because the Republic was in the midst of intense political instability. This was cited as the key factor for Costa Rica's secession in the Central American Civil War.

Following Costa Rica's Independence, the two nations met to solve their bordering differences and signed the Carrillo-Obarrio Treaty. In it, Costa Rica recognized the State of the Isthmus [OTL Panama] as an independent nation of the Republic of New Granada in exchange for Bocas del Toro. It also set the border as a line between Escudo de Veraguas island and the mouth of the Chiriqui Viejo river.