(Rightallegiance.com) – In a move that marks a significant deterioration in relations between Mexico and Ecuador, the Mexican government has announced it will sever diplomatic ties with Ecuador. This decision follows a controversial incident where Ecuadorian authorities conducted a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito, leading to the arrest of Jorge Glas, Ecuador’s former Vice President. The event has sparked international debate over the sanctity of diplomatic norms and the limits of political asylum.
According to a statement issued to CNNE by a spokesperson from the Mexican Foreign Ministry, this dramatic step is in response to the Ecuadorian police’s raid on its embassy in Quito. The incident saw law enforcement officials detain Jorge Glas, who had been seeking asylum within the embassy’s premises. The former vice president is a divisive figure in Ecuadorian politics, having served under the administration of Rafael Correa from 2013 to 2017 and facing multiple corruption charges, which he claims are politically motivated.
Videos circulating online show a significant police presence surrounding the Mexican embassy on the night of the arrest, with some officers visibly armed. Such a scene underscores the gravity of the situation, as embassies are traditionally seen as inviolable spaces under international law, making the raid highly controversial.
Following his arrest, Glas was transported to the Guayas No. 3 Deprivation of Liberation Center, also known as La Roca, a maximum-security facility in Guayaquil, as confirmed by the national prisons agency, SNAI. This move further escalates the situation, given the high-profile nature of Glas and the international attention his case has attracted.
The tension between Mexico and Ecuador had been simmering for some time, particularly after Mexico offered political asylum to Glas. This decision did not sit well with the Ecuadorian authorities, leading to a standoff that culminated in the recent raid. The Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, expressed his dismay over the incident on his X account, labeling it a breach of international law and a direct attack on the principles of diplomatic asylum.
Ecuador’s government, on its part, has defended the arrest, stating that Glas was apprehended under the orders of competent authorities and highlighting his convictions in the Ecuadorian justice system. They argue that the granting of diplomatic asylum to Glas was contrary to the legal norms that govern such matters.
In response to the raid and arrest, Roberto Canseco, a senior official at the Mexican embassy, vehemently condemned the actions of the Ecuadorian police. Describing the incident as an “outrage against international law,” Canseco announced Mexico’s intention to file a complaint with the International Court of Justice. Furthermore, Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, noted that there had been no prior communication from Ecuador regarding the arrest and claimed that Canseco was physically assaulted during the incident.
Adding another layer to the already complex situation, President López Obrador has been critical of recent political developments in Ecuador, including the 2023 run-off elections, which he described as “very strange.” His comments hinted at perceived irregularities and manipulations in the electoral process, adding further strain to the bilateral relationship.
The culmination of these events led to a series of diplomatic escalations, including Ecuador’s decision to declare Mexico’s ambassador to the country as “persona non grata,” effectively expelling him. This series of provocations has now led to Mexico’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Ecuador, a move that underscores the depth of the crisis between the two nations and casts a shadow over their future relations.