_{Photo: Former Ecuadorian Vice President, Jorge Glas, arrested by police (Photo: Courtesy: Aljazeera)}

by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Apr. 8, 2024

In a recent statement, Martha Zamarripa Rivas, the Mexican Ambassador to Belize, condemned the actions of Ecuadorian police, who forcefully entered the Mexican Embassy in Quito to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President, Jorge Glas.

Over the past few days, this event has sparked significant diplomatic attention leading to Mexico severing ties with Ecuador and drawing international criticism.

“Embassies have a territory that is inviolable in each country … Unfortunately, the events in Ecuador did not respect international law,” Ambassador Zamarripa Rivas told Amandala today.

The raid on the embassy, which took place on Friday, April 5, has been labeled by many as a blatant disregard for diplomatic norms, especially given that embassies are considered sovereign territories of their respective nations.

The incident has not only led to a diplomatic split between Mexico and Ecuador, but has also seen a rallying of support for Mexico from countries across Latin America and beyond.

“There are many countries that have positioned themselves against this situation and in favor of the government of Mexico. They all made a common front. And this is a decision of all those countries, that of course we appreciate this support,” noted the Ambassador.

The breach occurred after Mexico had granted political asylum to Jorge Glas, who is facing corruption charges in Ecuador. Glas, claiming to be a victim of political persecution, sought refuge in the Mexican embassy since December, before being forcibly removed by Ecuadorian police on Friday.

According to Ecuador’s President, he states that “Ecuador is a sovereign nation and is not going to allow any criminal to stay free.”

Despite the current diplomatic rift, however, Ambassador Zamarripa Rivas suggested that reconciliation remains possible, though the immediate focus remains on addressing the breach of embassy protocols. “It is always possible to reconcile with another country, but at this time, there is a rupture of diplomatic relations,” she explained.

Countries from across the region, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, have publicly condemned Ecuador for its actions, with Nicaragua joining Mexico in cutting diplomatic ties.

CARICOM, in a statement on the situation in Ecuador, said it is “deeply concerned that the Republic of Ecuador has recently taken actions that have violated the premises of the Embassy of Mexico in Quito.”

Additionally, the United Nations and the Organization of American States, have expressed concern and urged both nations to seek a resolution, respecting international treaties.