Draft:Verdis

Verdis, also known as the Free Republic of Verdis is an unrecognised micronation in Southeast Europe claiming an uninhabited parcel of disputed land on the right bank of the Danube, between Croatia and Serbia, near another micronation called Liberland. It was proclaimed on 30 May 2019 by Daniel Jackson, an Australian boy.

Verdis was created as a result of a border dispute between Croatia and Serbia which left a number of unclaimed plots of land along the right bank of the Danube river. This resulted in a number of micronations being created including two 'Free Republics', Verdis (pocket 3) and Liberland (island of Gornja Siga).

The parcel of land is 0.501 km2, roughly the same size as Vatican City. It has been administered by Croatia since the Croatian War of Independence. Verdis has no diplomatic recognition from any other country but claims to be in the process of building relations with some, and has been in the media for providing humanitarian aid during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

2023 Settlement attempt
On 12 October 2023, a few days after Verdis established its first permanent settlement, Croatian border police entered Verdis to detain and remove settlers, including Daniel Jackson, Verdis' self-proclaimed 'president'. This was done on the claim that Verdis was a national security threat to Croatia. The land has remained uninhabited and inaccessible since.

Settlers were informed to leave Croatia within 7 days or face forced removal.

Recognition
On 17 January 2023 a statement on Verdis' website was released claiming to have received identification recognition from the Government of Eswatini, but this statement was later altered mentioning a different approach in relations, meaning identifications were no longer recognised.