Ecuador stormed the Mexican Embassy in Quito in order to apprehend former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had been granted asylum by Mexico. Mexico accused Ecuador of violating international treaties and escalating tensions between the two nations. Latin American leaders criticized Ecuador’s actions, citing violations of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Ecuador defended its actions, stating that it was necessary to arrest a criminal who was holed up inside the diplomatic post. The International Court of Justice is involved in the case filed by Mexico against Ecuador, with the latter claiming it has already complied with the measures sought by Mexico, rendering the current hearing unnecessary. Mexico had accused Ecuador of not attempting to negotiate a settlement to the dispute, a precondition for the court to impose interim orders.
Mexico is seeking reparation and the suspension of Ecuador from the United Nations, as well as asking the court to take immediate steps to protect diplomatic premises and prevent further intrusions. Ecuador argued that the court does not need to act now as it has already provided assurances to protect the premises of Mexico and other diplomatic properties. Ecuador also filed its own case against Mexico, accusing the country of using its embassy to shield Mr. Glas from enforcement of Ecuadorian criminal law. Ecuador asked the ICJ to rule that Mexico’s actions breached international conventions, but no date has been set for hearings in this case. The tension between the two countries stems from Glas seeking refuge at the Mexican Embassy in December, despite being a convicted criminal and fugitive. The raid on the embassy by Ecuador further fueled tensions between the two nations, with both sides presenting their cases to the ICJ in recent days.
Leaders across Latin America condemned Ecuador’s raid on the Mexican Embassy, with both countries engaging in legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice. Ecuador argued that Mexico had misused its diplomatic premises in Quito to shelter a criminal, while Mexico accused Ecuador of crossing lines in international law and not attempting to negotiate a settlement. Ecuador stated that the ICJ does not need to take any immediate action as it has already complied with the measures sought by Mexico. Mexico is seeking reparation and suspension of Ecuador from the UN, alongside immediate steps to protect diplomatic premises. Both countries have filed cases against each other at the ICJ, accusing the other of breaches of international conventions. The tension between the two nations originated when Glas took refuge at the Mexican Embassy, leading to a series of legal battles between Ecuador and Mexico at the international level.
