Mike Purcell

If it's silver from Potosí, it has to come back.

This isn't just about the San Jose. In his research, he's found that there were all these other sunken ships with silver and gold that he says the Caracara have a right to.

This isn't just about the San Jose. In his research, he's found that there were all these other sunken ships with silver and gold that he says the Caracara have a right to.

This isn't just about the San Jose. In his research, he's found that there were all these other sunken ships with silver and gold that he says the Caracara have a right to.

So the Colombians, the Spanish, the Caracara, they all seem to have pretty valid claims to the San Jose. But guess who else also has a claim to the San Jose? A bunch of American businessmen. That's after the break.

So the Colombians, the Spanish, the Caracara, they all seem to have pretty valid claims to the San Jose. But guess who else also has a claim to the San Jose? A bunch of American businessmen. That's after the break.

So the Colombians, the Spanish, the Caracara, they all seem to have pretty valid claims to the San Jose. But guess who else also has a claim to the San Jose? A bunch of American businessmen. That's after the break.

And their claim goes back to the 1980s, when shipwreck treasure hunting was kind of having a moment in all of the bodies of water where wooden chests full of gold coins might be found. All these private companies were out there searching for treasure.

And their claim goes back to the 1980s, when shipwreck treasure hunting was kind of having a moment in all of the bodies of water where wooden chests full of gold coins might be found. All these private companies were out there searching for treasure.

And their claim goes back to the 1980s, when shipwreck treasure hunting was kind of having a moment in all of the bodies of water where wooden chests full of gold coins might be found. All these private companies were out there searching for treasure.

Now, their impression was under Colombian law at the time, that entitled them to 50% of whatever they found. They find it, they get to keep it, right?

Now, their impression was under Colombian law at the time, that entitled them to 50% of whatever they found. They find it, they get to keep it, right?

Now, their impression was under Colombian law at the time, that entitled them to 50% of whatever they found. They find it, they get to keep it, right?

But in 2020, Colombia passed another law saying actually everything on that ship is cultural patrimony. No one can sell it, which means Cesar's Armada would get 50 percent of nothing. So Cesar's Armada sued Colombia anew.

But in 2020, Colombia passed another law saying actually everything on that ship is cultural patrimony. No one can sell it, which means Cesar's Armada would get 50 percent of nothing. So Cesar's Armada sued Colombia anew.

But in 2020, Colombia passed another law saying actually everything on that ship is cultural patrimony. No one can sell it, which means Cesar's Armada would get 50 percent of nothing. So Cesar's Armada sued Colombia anew.

Last year, more than 40 years after they say they found the San Jose, they took their case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Last year, more than 40 years after they say they found the San Jose, they took their case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Last year, more than 40 years after they say they found the San Jose, they took their case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

This court exists to resolve international disputes. It's the place the world goes when a government and a business interest disagree. In this case, CSERJ Armada is arguing that Colombia is in violation of the free trade agreement between Colombia and the United States.