Política exterior dual de los Estados pequeños: estrategias de Ecuador y Costa Rica ante las disputas marítimas internacionales

This article examines the foreign policy strategies of Ecuador and Costa Rica in their respective maritime disputes with China and Nicaragua. Both countries have adopted a dual foreign policy to balance internal and external pressures in resolving maritime conflicts, avoiding recourse to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). Ecuador has faced persistent threats from the Chinese fishing fleet near the Galápagos Islands, opting for diplomacy and bilateral negotiations over international legal actions. In contrast, Costa Rica has taken its border disputes with Nicaragua to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), relying on its expertise and recognition. These cases challenge neo-institutionalism by suggesting that small states can resolve conflicts without necessarily resorting to specialized international organization. This analysis underscores the complexity and flexibility of small states’ foreign policy in the international arena.