evidence: The Los Monjes Archipelago This Venezuelan archipelago, 0.2 km2 in area, is situated at the mouth of the Gulf of Venezuela, 35 km from the Guajira Peninsula (Colombia) and 45 km to the northeast of the state of Zulia (Venezuela). It is made up of three groups of uninhabited rocks and islets (except for a Venezuelan garrison) and without vegetation: South Monjes (70 m in altitude), East Monjes (43 m) and North Monjes (41 m). In 1833 (Treaty of Michelena Pombo), Venezuela recognises Colombia's claim to the larger part of the Guajira Peninsula... but the Venezuelan Congress refuses to ratify it. In 1891, arbitration by the Spanish Queen, Maria Christina, recognises Colombia's right to the largest part of Guajira based on the decrees (‘cedulas') of 1777 and 1790 by which the region was divided. This position is further confirmed in 1922 as a result of Swiss arbitration. But it is only in 1952 that the Colombian President, Roberto Urdaneta Arbalaez recognises Venezuela's sovereignty over the Los Monjes Islands, where a Venezuela is now established. The problem however is not totally resolved: in 1987, the arrival of a Venezuelan frigate provokes a sudden mounting of tension and military mobilisation. More recently, Venezuela has constructed fishing installations in order to exploit the local resource base.