Mexico severs diplomatic ties with Ecuador following embassy incursion in Quito

Ecuadoran authorities raided the Mexican embassy in Quito on Friday, aiming to apprehend former vice president Jorge Glas, who had been granted political asylum within its walls. The forceful entry into the embassy led to Mexico’s decisive action of severing diplomatic relations, denouncing the incident as a breach of international law.

Footage captured by AFP revealed a heavy presence of police special forces surrounding the embassy compound, with at least one officer scaling its walls to gain access. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the incursion, asserting that Ecuador’s actions blatantly disregarded the principles of international law and Mexico’s sovereignty.

Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena echoed the president’s sentiments, labeling the arrest as a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Additionally, Barcena reported injuries among Mexican embassy personnel during the confrontation, further exacerbating the diplomatic rift between the two nations.

Amidst mounting tensions, Mexico swiftly announced the immediate termination of diplomatic ties with Ecuador. Barcena conveyed that Mexican diplomatic staff would promptly depart from Ecuador, urging Quito to ensure their safe passage as they exit the country.

The discord stems from Ecuador’s dissatisfaction with Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to Jorge Glas, a former Ecuadoran vice president accused of corruption. Despite Ecuador’s objections, Mexico defended its grant of asylum, emphasizing a thorough evaluation of Glas’s situation.

The incident has intensified an already strained relationship between the two countries, with Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa’s administration condemning Mexico’s actions as illicit. Meanwhile, former Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa criticized the embassy raid as unprecedented, drawing parallels to past dictatorships.

The fallout from this diplomatic clash underscores broader geopolitical tensions and raises concerns over adherence to international norms governing diplomatic immunity and asylum. As both nations navigate the aftermath, the incident casts a shadow over future bilateral relations and regional stability in Latin America.