Mexico has granted asylum to former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas, who is accused of bribery while in office and has been staying in Mexico’s embassy in Quito since late last year. Mexico’s foreign ministry called on Quito to allow Glas safe passage to leave the country, following his conviction on corruption charges. The ministry also criticized Ecuador’s increased police presence outside the embassy, as Ecuadorean authorities have sought to arrest Glas.
The diplomatic incident between Mexico and Ecuador was triggered by remarks made by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador during a news briefing. He suggested that violence had influenced the outcome of Ecuador’s recent presidential elections, referencing the assassination of candidate Fernando Villavicencio. Villavicencio, an anticorruption campaigner critical of the leading left-wing party, was killed weeks before the election. Lopez Obrador’s comments implied a connection between Villavicencio’s murder and the election results, where the frontrunner ultimately lost to a center-right candidate.
In response to Lopez Obrador’s statements, the Ecuadorian foreign ministry declared Mexico’s ambassador persona non grata and called for her to leave the country. The ministry condemned the comments as unfortunate and acknowledged the impact of Villavicencio’s assassination on Ecuadorian society and democracy. Supporters of Lopez Obrador defended his remarks by comparing the situation in Ecuador to the violence faced by local candidates in Mexico leading up to elections. Critics saw his comments as critical of the media and creating a heated atmosphere prior to the vote.
Despite the escalating tension between the two countries, Lopez Obrador stated that Mexico would not retaliate by expelling Ecuador’s ambassador. He downplayed any disputes between the nations and praised Mexico’s ambassador to Ecuador as exceptional. Known for his outspoken views on regional politics, Lopez Obrador has previously sparked controversy with his remarks on Peruvian politics. Last year, he offered asylum to Peru’s impeached former President Pedro Castillo, leading to strained relations with Peru’s Congress.
Overall, the diplomatic spat between Mexico and Ecuador highlights the complexity of international relations and the potential consequences of political statements. The asylum granted to Glas and the subsequent fallout from Lopez Obrador’s remarks demonstrate the delicate balance between national sovereignty and diplomatic protocol. As tensions ease between the two nations, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact their future relations and cooperation on regional issues.
