Mexican Diplomats Leave Ecuador Amid Controversy
Following the recent events in Ecuador involving the raid on Mexico’s embassy and the arrest of former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, Mexican diplomatic personnel are departing from Ecuador. The situation has sparked criticism from various countries and organizations across the globe.
Departure of Diplomatic Staff
Mexico’s Foreign Minister, Alicia Barcena, announced that the diplomatic staff are leaving Ecuador and returning home after the assault on the embassy. The group of 18 diplomats will be accompanied by representatives from “friendly and allied countries” to the airport.
Growing Rift Between Mexico and Ecuador
The tensions between Mexico and Ecuador escalated when Mexico granted political asylum to Glas, who had been seeking refuge in the embassy since December. The decision to grant asylum led to a series of events culminating in the recent raid on the embassy.
Police Raid on the Embassy
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico condemned the police raid on the embassy, where heavily armed officers forcibly took Glas into custody. The dramatic footage of the raid showed the intense confrontation between the authorities and embassy staff.
International Condemnation
The arrest of Glas and the violation of diplomatic property have drawn condemnation from countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, also expressed concern over the breach of international law.
Embassies are considered sovereign territory, and any intrusion into them is a violation of diplomatic norms. The forced entry into the Mexican embassy has raised alarms about the sanctity of diplomatic and consular properties.
As the situation unfolds, Mexico and Ecuador are navigating a complex diplomatic crisis that has strained their relations and garnered international attention.