Arrest at Mexican Embassy in Quito
Authorities in Ecuador stormed the Mexican Embassy in the capital Quito on Friday to arrest former vice president Jorge Glas, who had been granted political asylum there. This action led Mexico to sever diplomatic ties after what they deemed a violation of international law.
Details of the Incident
Images captured by Agence France-Presse (AFP) showed police special forces gathered outside the embassy, with at least one officer scaling its walls. The embassy was already surrounded by a heavy presence of police and military personnel.
Response from Mexican President
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the forcible entry into the building to arrest Glas, stating that it was a clear violation of international law and Mexico’s sovereignty.
Consequences and Diplomatic Fallout
Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena described the arrest as a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. She announced Mexico’s immediate decision to break diplomatic relations with Ecuador and the evacuation of Mexican personnel from the embassy.
Political Asylum and Dispute
Glas, a former vice president under President Rafael Correa, sought refuge in the embassy after facing corruption charges. Despite Ecuador’s objections, Mexico granted him political asylum, intensifying the diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
Further Developments
Ecuador’s government labeled the asylum grant as an “illicit act,” while Mexico defended its decision after a thorough analysis of the situation. The incident has sparked tensions and raised concerns about the respect for diplomatic immunity and international conventions.