Mexico has taken the drastic step of suspending diplomatic relations with Ecuador after Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought political asylum.
The incident has sparked international outrage, with Mexico condemning the arrest as a violation of international law and the inviolability of its embassy.
Glas, who had been convicted twice on corruption charges, had been staying in the Mexican embassy since December, claiming he was being persecuted by Ecuadorian officials.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Minister announced the suspension of diplomatic relations with Ecuador in a statement.
“In consultations with the President regarding the flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the injuries suffered by Mexican diplomatic personnel in Ecuador, Mexico announces the immediate breaking of diplomatic relations with Ecuador,” read the statement.
Glas Corruption allegations
Glas had served as the Ecuadorian Vice President between 2013 and 2017 but was relieved of his duties due to mounting corruption allegations.
He was later sentenced to six years in prison in connection with corruption at a Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and was accused of taking $13.5m (Ksh 1,894,185,000) in bribes.
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Glas was released from prison in November, but Ecuadorian authorities issued another arrest warrant for further allegations of corruption, prompting him to seek refuge in the Mexican embassy.
Ecuadorian government defends the embassy raid.
Ecuador’s government, however, defended the arrest, stating that Glas had been sentenced to imprisonment by the Ecuadorian justice system and was arrested to be placed under the orders of the competent authorities.
The government also noted that Glas had been granted diplomatic asylum contrary to the conventional legal framework.
“Having abused the immunities and privileges granted to the diplomatic mission that housed Jorge Glas and granting diplomatic asylum contrary to the conventional legal framework, his capture has proceeded.”
“Ecuador is a sovereign country, and we are not going to allow any criminal to go unpunished.”
“We reiterate our respect to the Mexican people who share our feelings for the fight against corruption that affects our countries.” said the Ecuadorian president.
Mexico’s President condemns the raid
Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador took to his official X account to express his condemnation of the arrest, stating that it was an authoritarian act and a flagrant violation of international law and Mexico’s sovereignty.
“This is a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico, which is why I have instructed our chancellor to issue a statement regarding this authoritarian act, proceed legally and immediately declare the suspension of diplomatic relations with the government of Ecuador,” he noted.
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The incident has sparked a diplomatic crisis between the two Latin American countries, with many Ecuadorians viewing the granting of political asylum to Glas as a mockery of justice.
However, outrage has ensued with legal and political experts emphasizing that the forceful raid on an embassy is not justified under international law, regardless of any grievances that may exist.
The suspension of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Ecuador marks a rise in tensions between the two countries, raising questions about the future of their bilateral relations and the adherence to diplomatic norms.
