Colombia's International Borders: Land and Maritime Limits

Summary

This document describes Colombia's international land borders with Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Panama, including their length and the treaties that defined them. It also lists the maritime boundary treaties Colombia has signed with neighboring countries in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. A student will learn which treaties and dates established each border and which maritime limits remain undefined.

Key points

The Venezuela border spans 2,219 km and was defined by treaties from 1891 and 1941.
The Brazil border spans 1,645 km and was established by treaties signed in 1907 and 1928.
The Peru border spans 1,626 km and was defined by the Salomon-Lozano Treaty of 1922.
The Ecuador border spans 586 km and was defined by the Munoz Vernaza-Suarez Treaty of 1916.
The Panama border spans 266 km and was defined by the Velez-Victoria Agreement of 1924.
Colombia has maritime boundary treaties with several Caribbean countries and with Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica on the Pacific.
The maritime boundary with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea is currently undefined.

Test yourself

Colombia's International Land Borders

Venezuela Border

The border with Venezuela was defined by the Maria Cristina-Rina España Treaty of March 1891 and the Lopez de Mesa-Gil Borges Treaty of April 5, 1941. It spans 2,219 km, stretching from Castilletes in La Guajira to the San Jose de Cocuy Island on the Negro River.

Brazil Border

The border with Brazil is established by the Vasquez-Cobo-Martins Treaty (April 24, 1907) and the Ortiz-Garcia-Mangabeira Treaty (November 15, 1928). It covers 1,645 km, from San Jose Island to the mouth of the San Antonio Creek on the Amazon River.

Peru Border

The border with Peru was defined by the Salomon-Lozano Treaty of March 24, 1922. It spans 1,626 km, running from the San Antonio Creek to the mouth of the Putumayo River.

Ecuador Border

The border with Ecuador was defined by the Munoz Vernaza-Suarez Treaty of July 15, 1916. It spans 586 km, from the Putumayo River to the mouth of the Mataje River in Ancon de Sardinas Bay on the Pacific Ocean.

Panama Border

The border with Panama was defined by the Velez-Victoria Agreement, approved on August 5, 1924. It spans 266 km, from the equidistant point between Cocalito and Ardita points on the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea.

Colombia's Maritime Boundaries

Caribbean Sea

Maritime borders in the Caribbean include:

Nicaragua: Esguerra-Barcenas Treaty (March 24, 1928).
Panama: Lievano-Boyd Treaty (November 20, 1976).
Costa Rica: Fernandez-Facio Treaty (March 17, 1977).
Dominican Republic: Lievano-Jimenez Treaty (January 13, 1978).
Haiti: Lievano-Brutus Treaty (February 17, 1978).
Honduras: Ramirez-Lopez Treaty (August 2, 1986).
Jamaica: Sanin-Robertson Treaty (November 12, 1993).
Venezuela: Currently undefined.

Pacific Ocean

Maritime borders in the Pacific include:

Ecuador: Lievano-Pombo Treaty (August 23, 1975).
Panama: Lievano-Boyd Treaty (November 20, 1976).
Costa Rica: Lloreda-Gutierrez Treaty (April 6, 1984).

FAQ

How long is Colombia's border with Venezuela?

The border with Venezuela spans 2,219 km. It stretches from Castilletes in La Guajira to the San Jose de Cocuy Island on the Negro River.

Which treaty defined the border with Peru?

The border with Peru was defined by the Salomon-Lozano Treaty of March 24, 1922. It runs 1,626 km from the San Antonio Creek to the mouth of the Putumayo River.

Is the maritime boundary with Venezuela defined?

No, according to the document the maritime boundary with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea is currently undefined.