Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro strongly condemned the recent police raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, calling it an “act of barbarism”. In response, Venezuela announced plans to close its embassy and consulates in Ecuador, citing a violation of international law. The move is meant to show solidarity with Mexico, as experts believe Ecuador acted illegally by sending law enforcement onto embassy grounds to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who was seeking refuge in the Mexican embassy to avoid imprisonment for corruption-related charges.
Mexico has taken action against Ecuador by filing a complaint at the International Court of Justice, calling for Ecuador to be expelled from the United Nations and demanding an apology for the embassy incident. Mexico has also severed diplomatic relations with Ecuador, recalling its embassy staff from the country. President Maduro echoed Mexico’s sentiments at a virtual conference for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, denouncing the raid as an act of barbarism and expressing support for moving Glas to Mexican custody, where asylum had been offered prior to his arrest. Glas is currently imprisoned in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he has begun a hunger strike to protest his arrest.
Ecuador has defended the embassy raid as a necessary act to pursue justice and uphold national security. President Daniel Noboa justified the actions as protecting national security, the rule of law, and the dignity of the people who reject impunity for criminals. Despite international outcry, a tribunal in Ecuador declared the raid as arbitrary and illegal but upheld Glas’s imprisonment, stating that the tribunal could not modify the sentence. This decision has further escalated tensions between Ecuador and Mexico, with Mexico and Venezuela continuing to call for an apology and appropriate action from Ecuador to rectify the situation.
The move to close Venezuelan diplomatic missions in Ecuador is a significant step in showing solidarity with Mexico and condemning Ecuador’s violation of international law. The closure will remain in place until international law is fully restored in Ecuador, as stated by Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication and Information (MIPPCI). The embassy raid and subsequent actions by Ecuador have sparked international controversy and condemnation, with Mexico pursuing legal action and severing diplomatic ties with Ecuador. President Maduro’s denunciation of the raid at the CELAC conference further emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and the need for Ecuador to address the violation of international law.
The incident involving the raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito highlights the importance of respecting the sanctity of embassy grounds, which are protected under international law from unauthorized entry by local law enforcement. The video footage showing police officers violating the embassy’s boundaries and threatening diplomats with a gun underscores the severity of the breach and the need for accountability. Ecuador’s justification for the raid as a necessary pursuit of justice raises questions about the balance between upholding national security and respecting diplomatic immunity, especially when it involves high-profile individuals seeking refuge.
As tensions continue to escalate between Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela, the fate of Jorge Glas remains uncertain. The legal and diplomatic repercussions of the embassy raid will likely have lasting effects on the relationships between the countries involved. The international response to the incident underscores the importance of upholding international law and respecting diplomatic norms, while also highlighting the challenges of balancing national security interests with diplomatic obligations. It remains to be seen how Ecuador will address the fallout from the raid and whether it will take steps to mend its relationships with Mexico and Venezuela.
