The Treasure Ship Must Be Recovered from the Sea Immediately, Says Colombian President

The Colombian president has ordered that the ship worth $20 billion be brought up from the sea floor "as soon as possible." The Spanish galleon San José is located at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea, having sunk in June 1708 during a battle with the British.

The ship is believed to contain chests filled with gold, silver, and emeralds. According to experts, the estimated value of the treasure ranges from $4 billion to $20 billion.

Colombian leader Gustavo Petro's decision comes as his term is set to end in 2026. At the same time, the treasure is claimed by the American company Glocca Morra. Their representatives assert that they were the first to discover the ship's wreckage and are seeking approximately $10 billion through the courts (which equates to half of the profit).