Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the police raid on its embassy in Quito, Ecuador, calling it a violent break-in that violated international accords protecting embassies. The footage released by Mexico shows the Ecuadorian police storming the embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought refuge there after being convicted of corruption charges. The video captures the late-night raid, with police climbing over the embassy walls and bursting in through the doors, pointing guns at Mexican diplomats. Mexican President Obrador has vowed to bring the violations of international law to the international courts with the support of friendly countries.
The raid on the Mexican embassy has strained relations between Ecuador and Mexico, leading Mexico to officially sever diplomatic ties with Ecuador and recall its diplomatic staff. Tensions between the two countries had already been simmering after President Obrador commented on Ecuador’s recent presidential elections, attributing the election outcome to media scrutiny over the assassination of a presidential candidate. These comments led to Ecuador declaring Mexico’s ambassador persona non grata and escalating the diplomatic row. Mexico offered political asylum to Glas, who had been sheltering in the embassy since December, prompting Ecuadorian police to attempt to arrest him.
Glas, a former government official implicated in the Odebrecht corruption scandal, has been convicted twice on corruption charges and faces lengthy prison sentences. He alleges that he is a victim of political persecution and has sought refuge in the Mexican embassy to evade arrest. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations protects embassies and consulates as spaces off-limits to local law enforcement, allowing diplomatic affairs to proceed without interference. International condemnation of the Quito embassy raid has been widespread, with the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan criticising Ecuador for disregarding its obligations under international law and jeopardising diplomatic norms and relationships.
The Organisation of American States (OAS) is set to hold a meeting on the embassy raid, with the US urging Ecuador to work with Mexico to resolve the diplomatic dispute. Mexican President Obrador expressed frustration with the US and Canada for what he called lukewarm and ambiguous statements on the matter. Ecuador’s President Noboa defended his country’s actions, stating that Ecuador is a country of peace and justice that respects all nations and international law. Following the raid, Glas returned to prison in Guayaquil after a brief hospital stay, during which he had reportedly been refusing to eat. The video footage released by Mexico has shed light on the events of the embassy raid and may have implications for international relations moving forward.
