Mexico cuts diplomatic ties with Ecuador after Jorge Glas arrest
Mexico has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ecuador following a police incursion into the Mexican embassy in Quito aimed at apprehending former Ecuadorian Vice-President Jorge Glas.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador condemned the “forceful entry” into the embassy as a blatant breach of international law.
Glas sought sanctuary in the embassy in December following an arrest warrant issued by Ecuador over corruption allegations against him during his tenure as vice-president from 2013 to 2017.
His dismissal from office was prompted by mounting accusations of corruption against him, culminating in a six-year prison sentence later that year for his involvement in bribery schemes with the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, amounting to $13.5 million (£10.2 million).
Although released from prison in November, Glas faced renewed corruption charges from Ecuadorian authorities, leading him to seek asylum in the Mexican embassy.
Mexico’s decision to grant Glas political asylum, made after careful consideration of the circumstances, was deemed illegal by Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian Presidency asserted its sovereignty, stating its commitment to apprehend criminals and enforce the law, indicating that Glas had been detained and placed under the jurisdiction of the appropriate authorities following his arrest.
Photographs from the scene show police scaling a wall and metal fence at the embassy’s closed entrance.
Mexico’s Mr Obrador, writing on X, said he had ordered the immediate suspension of diplomatic ties as a result.
“Police from Ecuador forcibly entered our embassy and detained the former vice-president of that country who was a refugee and processing asylum due to the persecution and harassment he faces.
“This is a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico.”
A number of diplomats were injured in the incident, according to Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s secretary of foreign relations.
Tension between the two countries has been mounting in recent days. On Wednesday, Mr Obrador made remarks, considered “unfortunate” by Ecuador, about violence during last year’s election – won by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
The following day Ecuador declared the Mexican ambassador a persona non grata and said she should leave the country.
