Mexico Breaks Diplomatic Ties With Ecuador After Embassy Raid

• Mexico condemns Ecuador's raid on its embassy as a violation of international law.

• Ecuador accused former VP Glas of embezzling funds, while he claimed political persecution.

• Mexico granted political asylum to Glas, leading to Ecuador's embassy raid and arrest.

Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld addresses the media after Ecuadorean forces raided Mexico's embassy to arrest former Ecuador’s VP Glas, in Quito

Reuters

Mexico has announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Ecuador following a controversial police raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito. The raid was conducted to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had been seeking asylum at the embassy.

The Mexican foreign ministry confirmed the decision, stating that all Mexican diplomatic staff would be leaving Ecuador immediately. Mexico condemned the raid as a violation of international law, as embassies are typically considered protected spaces under diplomatic norms.

Glas, who had been convicted twice on corruption charges in Ecuador, sought asylum in the Mexican embassy, claiming political persecution. However, Ecuadorian authorities accused him of embezzling government funds meant for earthquake relief efforts.

The situation escalated when Mexico granted political asylum to Glas, prompting Ecuador to raid the embassy and arrest him. Mexico criticized Ecuador's actions, with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador calling it a violation of diplomatic norms.

Ecuador defended its decision to raid the embassy, citing a risk of Glas escaping and accusing Mexico of interfering in its internal affairs. The rift between the two countries deepened further when Ecuador declared Mexico's ambassador persona non grata, leading to a complete breakdown in diplomatic relations.

The incident has drawn condemnation from Latin American leaders, with Colombia and Nicaragua also taking action against Ecuador. The situation has raised concerns about the rule of law and diplomatic conventions in the region, particularly in the face of organized crime and political tensions.

As the fallout continues, Mexico plans to lodge a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the embassy raid, further escalating the diplomatic crisis between the two countries.