The galleon San José lies at the bottom of the Colombian sea, surrounded by gold, silver coins and porcelain objects. Photo: Dall E
He San José galleonwhich sank in 1708 near Cartagena de IndiasColombia, is seen as “the most valuable treasure ever found in the history of humanity,” in the words of the former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos. This treasure, estimated at more than $20 billion, has sparked disputes between multiple parties, including governments, private companies and indigenous communities.
Since its discovery by the Colombian Navy, multiple scientific and legal missions have been initiated to determine ownership and proceed with its recovery.
The Government of Colombia seeks to remove part of the treasure from the Spanish galleon San José, submerged for 300 years and found in 2015 off Cartagena. Photo: AFP
How did the galleon San José sink?
He San José galleon, built at the end of the 17th century, was a ship of the Spanish Navy designed for long voyages and the transport of valuable cargo. In 1708, during the War of the Spanish Successionthe galleon was intercepted by the British fleet commanded by Charles Wager near the Colombian coast. This confrontation, known as the Battle of Barúculminated in an explosion that quickly sank the San José along with its valuable cargo of gold, silver and emeralds.
This event occurred while the galleon was returning to Spain loaded with riches destined for King Felipe V. Over more than three centuries, the San José became a legend, remaining at the bottom of the sea until its discovery in 2015 through advanced underwater exploration technologies used by the Colombian Navy.
The San José galleon is located off the coast of Colombia. Photo: AFP
This is how they seek to recover the treasure of the San José galleon
The recovery of San José galleon It has required a coordinated effort between several institutions and the implementation of cutting-edge technology. The Colombian government has allocated a significant budget for this scientific mission, aimed at rescuing the underwater treasure and studying and preserving the artifacts found.
The operation includes the use of remotely operated robots that can descend up to 600 meters deep to recover pieces of the galleon. These technologies allow detailed images to be obtained and samples to be collected without damaging the remains. The objective is to guarantee the conservation of the extracted materials and analyze their historical and cultural importance. Among the artifacts discovered are cannons, coins and porcelain.
The dispute between Colombia and Spain over the San José galleon
The discovery of the San José galleon has generated an international dispute over the ownership of its treasure. Colombia, having discovered the wreck in its territorial waters, claims ownership of the galleon and its contents. Spain, on the other hand, argues that the San José is a “state ship” and, according to UNESCO regulations, its heritage belongs to it.
Furthermore, the American company Sea Search Armada claims to have located the galleon in 1981, demanding financial compensation. On the other hand, the Bolivian Qhara Qhara indigenous community has also raised its voice, as they argue that the riches that the boat had were extracted from their ancestral lands.
The dispute has reached the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which must determine the ownership of the treasure. Meanwhile, the Colombian government has expressed its intention to protect the galleon’s cultural heritage and share the findings with Spain.
