Ecuador Files Complaint at U.N. Court Over Mexico’s Asylum Grant
In a dramatic turn of events, Ecuador has filed a complaint at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands against Mexico for granting political asylum to former Ecuadorian vice president, Jorge Glas. The move by Mexico led to a highly criticized raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito earlier this month.
The complaint intensifies a high-profile diplomatic quarrel between the two countries, with Mexico also filing its own complaint alleging that Ecuador’s raid to arrest Glas was illegal. Ecuador’s counterclaim is that Glas was a fugitive wanted on corruption convictions, not for political reasons, and therefore not eligible for Mexico’s diplomatic protection.
Glas, who had been living at the Mexican embassy in Quito since December, was forcibly removed by Ecuadorian authorities and is now being held at a maximum security prison in Guayaquil. Mexico’s government released security camera footage showing Ecuadorian police breaking into the embassy to carry out the arrest.
The situation has drawn condemnation from legal experts, Latin American presidents, and diplomats, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordering the closure of his country’s embassy and consulates in Ecuador in solidarity with Mexico. Mexico has since broken diplomatic relations with Ecuador, recalled its staff, and closed its embassy and consulates.
Mexico has asked the World Court to order Ecuador to provide full protection and security of diplomatic premises and prevent further intrusions. The court will begin hearings on Mexico’s case on Tuesday. The outcome of this diplomatic dispute remains uncertain as both countries seek to defend their actions on the international stage.