The tumultuous relationship between Ecuador and Mexico reached a boiling point when police stormed the Embassy in Quito and seized former Vice President Jorge Glas. Since mid-December, Glas had been seeking refuge in the embassy after being convicted of corruption in his home country. The Mexican government had warned Ecuador that they would not grant him safe passage to leave the country as political asylum.
In response to the incident, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López ordered the suspension of diplomatic relations with Ecuador, citing a violation of international law and Mexico’s sovereignty. The Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Bárcena, confirmed the president’s announcement and stated that Mexico would appeal to the International Court of Justice to denounce Ecuador’s violations of international law.
The diplomatic crisis deepened when tensions escalated further after the Mexican embassy in Ecuador was surrounded by police forces, and the ambassador was declared persona non grata. Despite granting political asylum to Glas, Mexico accused Ecuador of violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic relations.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of embassy personnel and the impact on diplomatic properties. Both countries have expressed their disapproval of each other’s actions, with Mexico requesting that Ecuador cease intimidation. This incident comes after Ecuador accused Mexico of interfering in its domestic affairs, prompting tension between the two countries.
The extradition of Glas and the repudiation of the Mexican ambassador in Ecuador reflect the deepening divide between these two nations. The political asylum granted to Glas serves as a flashpoint in an already deteriorating relationship, with accusations of political persecution and violation of international law. This incident highlights how challenging it is for both countries to navigate diplomatic disputes while upholding sovereignty and international law.
As tensions continue to rise between these two nations, it remains uncertain how long it will take for them to reconcile their differences and restore diplomatic relations. However, one thing is clear: this incident underscores just how fragile diplomacy can be when tensions run high between nations.
