In a bid to unearth history and potential riches, Colombia has set sail on a daring expedition to salvage treasures from the wreck of the fabled San Jose, a ship laden with emeralds and gold that sank off the coast of Cartagena in 1708. The Colombian government’s announcement on February 23 has stirred both excitement and controversy as the nation braces for a venture into the depths of its maritime heritage.
The San Jose, owned by the Spanish royal family, met its demise at the hands of the British navy centuries ago, leaving behind a trove of treasures estimated to be worth a staggering $20 billion USD. Survivors numbered only a handful among the 600 souls aboard, as per records cited by AFP.
With images capturing what appears to be gleaming gold coins beneath the waves, Colombia’s mission promises a glimpse into a bygone era of opulence and exploration. However, experts caution that the passage of time has taken its toll, with Alexandra Chadid, a naval researcher, warning of the physical and chemical transformations that may have befallen the artifacts submerged for over three centuries.
The salvage operation, slated to cost $4.5 million, will deploy an underwater robot tasked with delicately retrieving items from the wreck at a depth of 600 meters. Colombian Culture Minister Juan David Correa assures that every effort will be made to preserve the integrity of the site, aiming to extract ceramics and wooden fragments without disturbing the historical context.
Yet, amid the anticipation looms a shadow of contention. Spain asserts its claim to the treasure, citing ownership of the vessel, while Bolivia’s Qhara Qhara tribe lays ancestral rights, arguing that indigenous labor was exploited in the pursuit of precious metals. Colombian authorities, however, assert their sovereignty over the salvage efforts, vowing to keep the treasures within their borders.
In a bid for harmony, Spanish Ambassador to Colombia Joaquin de Aristegui has proposed bilateral discussions to safeguard the wreck, a sentiment echoed by the Qhara Qhara tribe, who seek only the return of culturally significant artifacts from the depths.
Nevertheless, Colombia finds itself embroiled in legal battles with the US-based salvage company, Sea Search Armada, which claims initial discovery of the wreck over four decades ago. The dispute, now under the scrutiny of the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration, threatens to complicate the nation’s quest for historical riches.
As the expedition sets sail into uncharted waters, Colombia stands at a crossroads of history, balancing the allure of treasure with the responsibility of preserving its rich maritime heritage. With each salvage, a piece of the past emerges, sparking debates that resonate far beyond the ocean floor.