Mexico has withdrawn personnel from its embassy in Ecuador after security forces stormed the building in an attempt to arrest former Ecuadoran Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought refuge there. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called the arrest an “authoritarian” act and a violation of international law and Mexican sovereignty, leading to the suspension of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena announced the immediate suspension of diplomatic ties and the evacuation of diplomatic staff from Ecuador.
Glas, a left-wing politician with multiple corruption convictions, had been granted asylum by Mexico before the raid on the embassy. Ecuadoran special forces surrounded the embassy, using a battering ram and scaling the walls to gain access. The Ecuadoran presidency accused Mexico of abusing diplomatic privileges and immunities by sheltering Glas and granting him asylum. Mexico’s Lopez Obrador plans to file a complaint against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice for the raid on the embassy and the physical violence against the head of the diplomatic mission.
The international community has condemned Ecuador’s actions, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing alarm at the raid. Spain and the European Union denounced the violation of the Vienna Convention, which protects diplomatic missions from intrusion. Several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and others, voiced their disapproval and support for Mexico. Nicaragua joined Mexico in severing diplomatic ties with Ecuador over the incident.
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, who declared the country to be in an “internal armed conflict” against drug-trafficking gangs, sent police to Mexico’s embassy in an unprecedented move. Analysts raise concerns about Noboa’s willingness to take drastic actions ahead of the upcoming elections. Jorge Glas’s lawyer fears for his safety while in custody in Ecuador, pointing to the country’s violent detention facilities and history of deaths of detainees. She holds President Noboa responsible for Glas’s well-being and calls for international intervention to ensure his safety.
The raid on the Mexican embassy in Ecuador has sparked a diplomatic crisis between the two countries, with Mexico denouncing the violation of its sovereignty. The international community has rallied around Mexico, condemning the Ecuadoran government’s actions and calling for respect for diplomatic norms. As tensions escalate, Mexico seeks justice through international legal channels and remains concerned for the safety of Jorge Glas in Ecuador’s custody. The fallout from this incident could have far-reaching implications for diplomatic relations in the region and the upcoming elections in Ecuador.
