QUITO, Ecuador – Mexico has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Ecuador following a controversial incident at the Mexican embassy in Quito. The tension arose after Ecuadorian police forcibly entered the embassy to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought asylum there due to corruption charges.
Glas, a prominent figure facing allegations of bribery and corruption, had been residing in the Mexican embassy since December. The Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, condemned Ecuador’s actions, labeling them as an authoritarian act and a violation of international law and Mexico’s sovereignty.
The Ecuadorian government defended its decision to detain Glas, emphasizing that it will not allow any criminal to escape justice. In a statement, Ecuador reaffirmed its position as a sovereign nation with a commitment to upholding the law.
Mexico’s secretary of foreign relations, Alicia Bárcena, expressed concern over the incident, noting that several diplomats were injured during the break-in. She announced Mexico’s intent to take legal action against Ecuador, citing violations of international law.
The ongoing diplomatic crisis between Mexico and Ecuador escalated further when Mexico’s president made controversial remarks about Ecuador’s recent elections. In response, Ecuador declared the Mexican ambassador persona non grata, highlighting the strained relations between the two nations.
As tensions persist, the Mexican embassy in Quito remains under heavy police protection. The incident has spurred calls for dialogue and diplomacy to address the diplomatic rift effectively.
Ecuador’s foreign ministry and interior ministry have yet to comment on the situation, underscoring the complexity of the events unfolding between the two countries.
The fallout from this diplomatic dispute underscores the challenges countries face in navigating international relations diplomatically. As the situation evolves, both Mexico and Ecuador may seek avenues for reconciliation and resolution to mitigate the impacts of the rift.
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