Controversy in Ecuador as Authorities Enter Mexican Embassy to Detain Former Vice President
A controversy erupts in Ecuador as authorities enter the Mexican embassy in Quito to detain former Vice President Jorge Glas, who was in search of asylum at the embassy.
Ecuador is in hot water for forcefully entering the Mexican embassy in Quito to apprehend former Vice President Jorge Glas, a polarizing figure who was trying to seek asylum there.
The arrest of Glas late on Friday evening led Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to swiftly cut off diplomatic relations with Quito.
Obrador criticized the act as a clear violation of international law and Mexico's sovereignty. This breach of diplomatic norms has caused concern among Latin American leaders, who are united in condemning the incident.
Under diplomatic norms, embassies are considered protected spaces.
It marks the culmination of a series of diplomatic provocations between Mexico and Ecuador this week.
Glas has since been transferred to a maximum-security prison in Guayaquil known as La Roca, Ecuadorean authorities said.
Police detain Glas in Quito, Ecuador on April 6.
Police detain Glas in Quito, Ecuador on April 6.
National Police of Ecuador/Handout/Anadolu/Getty Images
Glas worked for former President Rafael Correa from 2013 to 2017. Recently, Ecuadorian authorities accused him of stealing government funds allocated for earthquake recovery in 2016.
After Glas was arrested, many Latin American countries, such as Brazil and Argentina, joined Mexico in criticizing Ecuador. They mentioned a possible breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, an international agreement that outlines how countries should interact with each other.
Some people also mentioned that Glas's right to asylum was violated. Additionally, Nicaragua has followed Mexico in cutting off diplomatic relations with Ecuador. The right-wing Argentinian government has urged for the full respect of the international agreements and obligations outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Left-wing Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his disapproval, stating that Glas's right to asylum was "barbarically violated."
Honduras President Xiomara Castro also condemned the assault on the embassy, describing it as "an intolerable act for the international community."
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres' spokesperson revealed that he was "alarmed" by the raid.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, mentioned that Guterres emphasized the importance of respecting the sanctity of diplomatic and consular buildings and staff.
Ecuador's Chancellor Gabriela Sommerfeld during a press conference on April 6 in Quito, Ecuador.
Ecuador's Chancellor Gabriela Sommerfeld during a press conference on April 6 in Quito, Ecuador.
Agencia Press South/Getty Images
Glas, aged 54, was taken into custody on Friday night. He claims he is being targeted for political reasons and had been seeking refuge inside the embassy.
Footage captured at the location displayed a large group of police officers gathering around the embassy, with some of them carrying weapons.
At a news conference on Saturday, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld supported the raid, stating that it was necessary due to a real risk of Glas escaping.
She also criticized Mexico for not following the principle of non-intervention, as they allowed Glas to remain in the embassy and avoid complying with an order to regularly appear before authorities for a corruption investigation.
Mexico’s claim that Glas was being politically prosecuted was dismissed by her. She stated that in Ecuador, someone cannot be considered a politically persecuted individual if they have been convicted with a valid sentence and have an arrest warrant issued by the judicial authorities.
Editor's P/S:
Ecuador's forceful entry into the Mexican embassy in Quito to apprehend former Vice President Jorge Glas has sparked outrage and condemnation from the international community. This blatant violation of international
