One country that did do that is having second thoughts, so much so that it is pulling out of the ICJ. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced yesterday that his country has officially withdrawn from the treaty that recognizes the authority of the ICJ. This is after the ICJ gave a ruling on November 19th that extends Nicaragua's maritime territory by 20,000 square miles.

The ruling ended a decades-long dispute over the San Andres island - which remains in Colombia's possession. But it re-drew the maritime borders - giving Nicaragua territory in a potentially oil-rich area.

President Santos said quote, "The borders between nations cannot be in the hands of a court of law, They must be drawn by agreement between the countries involved."

He has said he will now engage Nicaragua in bi-lateral talks to settle the issue.

In other international news of interest, the United Nations voted overwhelmingly today to recognize a Palestinian state. There were 138 votes in favour, including Belize, 9 against while some 40 members abstained.

Palestine now has status as a non-member observer state - a major diplomatic defeat for the US and Israel.