Peruvians feel robbed over US courts turning over salvaged treasure to former colonial ruler

[Judi Lynn]

Peruvians feel robbed over US courts turning over salvaged treasure to former colonial ruler
By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, March 13, 1:46 AM

LIMA, Peru — We were robbed! That’s how many Peruvians feel, now that U.S. courts have given Spain the 17 tons of silver and gold coins that a private company salvaged from the wreck of a colonial-era Spanish sailing ship.

The treasure’s origin is not in dispute. The metals were mined and the coins minted in the Andes. The Spanish navy frigate that was carrying them to Spain exploded during an attack by British warships in 1804.

Peru argued it should get the precious metal recovered from the Nuestra Senora de Las Mercedes. But its legal case was sunk in large part by a historical fact: This country was, at the time, a Spanish dependency. It didn’t gain independence until 1821, the last bastion of Spanish rule in South America.

~snip~

Many Peruvians, however, feel they are entitled to the booty because of colonial Spain’s violent, exploitative legacy. Countless natives of the Andes were forced to abandon home and family and toil in life-choking conditions extracting ore underground.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/peruvians-feel-robbed-over-us-courts-turning-over-salvaged-treasure-to-former-colonial-ruler/2012/03/13/gIQAqMyt8R_story.html

[Exultant Democracy]

1. They feel robbed because they were. Spain is full of stolen gold, this is just a drop in the bucket.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Decision was correct under International LOS

Spanish state vessel so Spain gets the cargo.