Colombia Clarifies Scientific Aim of Caribbean Shipwreck Discovery

Colombian authorities announced last Thursday that a team of scientists had successfully recovered a cannon, three coins, and a porcelain cup. These are considered the first discoveries of their kind to be found on the seabed of the Caribbean Sea, at the site where the famous Spanish galleon “San José” sank in 1708 following an attack by the English fleet.

These artifacts were extracted in the context of a scientific survey authorized by the government last year, with the aim of studying the shipwreck and identifying the reasons that led to its sinking. Colombian researchers discovered the site of the ship in 2015, which sparked legal and diplomatic disputes. The exact location of the ship remains a state secret.

It is believed that the ship was carrying approximately 11 million gold and silver coins, as well as emeralds and other valuable cargo collected from the Spanish colonies. The value of this cargo is estimated at billions of dollars if recovered.

The government of President “Gustavo Petro” affirmed that the purpose of the deep-sea exploration is scientific research and not treasure extraction. The shipwreck is located at a depth of 6000 meters on the ocean floor.