Mexico suspends ties with Ecuador after police raid embassy
Mexico has cut off diplomatic ties with Ecuador after a tense incident where Ecuadorian police forcibly entered its embassy in Quito and arrested former vice president Jorge Glas, who had sought political asylum there.
Glas, previously convicted of corruption twice, had been residing in the Mexican embassy since December, alleging persecution by Ecuadorian authorities. In response, Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered him political asylum and urged Ecuador to allow his safe passage out of the country.
However, Ecuadorian special forces, outfitted in tactical gear, breached the embassy and apprehended Glas. Ecuador justified the action, asserting its sovereignty and refusal to harbor criminals.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the embassy's breach as an authoritarian act and a violation of international law. Some Ecuadorians viewed the situation as a travesty of justice, given Glas's criminal history and alleged ties with the Mexican president.
Lawyer and political commentator Adrian Perez Salazar highlighted that while Ecuador may have grievances, violating embassy sanctity contradicts international law. Mexico's foreign minister, Alicia Barcena, reported injuries among diplomats during the incident, condemning it as a violation of diplomatic conventions.
As a response, Mexico plans to withdraw its diplomatic personnel from Ecuador and intends to seek recourse through the International Court of Justice for the breach of international law.
The situation escalated further after President Lopez Obrador's remarks on Ecuador's elections, linking them to violence and media influence. Ecuador reacted by declaring the Mexican ambassador persona non grata and expelling her.
Ecuador's recent challenges, including prison riots and violence, add complexity to its diplomatic relations, underscoring the broader implications of this incident on regional stability.
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