Bryan-Chamorro Treaty of 1914

an unfair treaty forced on Nicaragua by the United States of America.

The Bryan-Chamorro Treaty was signed on August 5 in Washington, D. C. by the US secretary of state W. J. Bryan and the Nicaraguan ambassador E. Chamorro. The exchange of ratifying documents took place there on June 22, 1916. According to Art. 1 of the treaty, the Republic of Nicaragua granted the USA perpetual rights to construct and exploit an interoceanic canal on Nicaraguan territory. In addition, “for the defense of the Panama Canal” the USA received a 99-year lease on Great Corn Island and Little Corn Island in the Caribbean Sea and the right to build a naval base on the Gulf of Fonseca. The sovereignty of the USA over both islands and bases was established (Art. 2). In compensation, the USA was obliged to pay Nicaragua $3 million (Art. 3). The struggle of the Nicaraguan people compelled the USA to cancel the treaty in 1970.