Ecuadorian authorities made a controversial decision to break into the Mexican Embassy in Quito to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who was facing corruption charges. Glas had been residing at the embassy since December, seeking asylum due to alleged political persecution. The move drew swift condemnation from fellow leaders and diplomats, with many stating that it violated international norms. President Daniel Noboa’s office defended the decision, while other presidents expressed disapproval of the action.
Jorge Glas is a career politician and electrical engineer who served as vice president under former President Rafael Correa between 2013 and 2017. He also briefly served under then-President Lenin Moreno. During his time as vice president, Glas was responsible for managing reconstruction efforts following a devastating earthquake in 2016 that claimed the lives of hundreds of people. His tenure as vice president was marked by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, leading to legal troubles and convictions in multiple cases.
The decision to seek political asylum at the Mexican Embassy came after authorities ordered Glas to appear before prosecutors in connection with a corruption investigation. Prosecutors were specifically looking into allegations of mismanagement of funds intended for earthquake reconstruction efforts. The Mexican government granted Glas political asylum just hours before police raided the embassy to arrest him. The move to seek asylum was seen as a desperate attempt by Glas to avoid prosecution and further legal troubles.
Prior to seeking asylum, Glas had been in custody on bribery and corruption charges in two separate cases. One of the cases was linked to the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, resulting in a six-year prison sentence for Glas. He later received an eight-year sentence for his involvement in a bribery scheme related to public procurement. Despite his convictions, a controversial ruling in 2022 led to Glas being freed from prison. The judge who issued the ruling is now under investigation for his alleged involvement in a bribery scheme.
The arrest of Jorge Glas at the Mexican Embassy in Quito has sparked a diplomatic dispute between Ecuador and Mexico, with the latter granting him asylum and facing backlash from other leaders. The unprecedented move to break into a foreign embassy to arrest a former official has raised concerns about the violation of diplomatic norms and the independence of diplomatic missions. The controversial actions taken by Ecuadorian authorities have led to a further deterioration of relations with other countries and highlighted the ongoing challenges of corruption and political persecution in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of Jorge Glas remains uncertain as he faces legal battles and international condemnation.
