Mexico’s Foreign Ministry released footage of the arrest of Jorge Glas, a former Ecuadorian Vice President, on Tuesday.
An Opposed Raid:
Footage, which was posted on X, shows authorities breaching the embassy and carrying out a search of the premise. While the operation was in progress, Mexican diplomat Roberto Conseco could be seen building a barricade at one of the points of entry into the embassy.
Footage further shows what looks to be Conseco being wrestled out of the embassy after attempting to physically block authorities while the search was underway. Conseco was later thrown to the ground by police outside of the embassy while attempting to physically block authorities from transporting Glas.
?? El mundo presenció la violencia, el abuso y el sometimiento de nuestro personal mexicano a manos de la policía ecuatoriana, así como la violación de la inmunidad a nuestra embajada en Ecuador.
México acudirá a las cortes y tribunales internacionales con el respaldo de países… pic.twitter.com/rhU5I2PQsR
— Relaciones Exteriores (@SRE_mx) April 9, 2024
Ecuadorian authorities raided the Mexican embassy on Friday in order to arrest Glas following his conviction on two charges of corruption. Following the conviction and the subsequent warrant issued, Glas fled to the Mexican embassy in order to apply for asylum, an application that was approved prior to the raid.
Ecuadorian authorities stated this sought-after asylum was “not lawful” as the former VP had already been convicted on the charges established.
Glas was later transported to the prison known as “La Roca” or “the Rock” in Guayaquil, one of Ecuador’s highest security prisons, which has housed a number of violent gang leaders such as Fito Macias, whose escape is thought to be the cause of the ongoing security situation in Ecuador.
However, while in prison, the former Vice President was found unconscious in his cell, forcing authorities to transport him to a nearby military hospital. The National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty, the organization that is in charge of administering Ecuadorian prisons, stated that Glas had passed out from lack of sustenance after refusing to eat for 24 hours, dispelling rumors that the former Vice President had attempted suicide.
Following his loss of consciousness, Glas received treatment from the Ministry of Public Health before being transferred to a health home in southern Guayaquil.
The arrest follows an increase in tensions between the two Latin American nations, with the Ecuadorian government declaring the Mexican ambassador a “persona non grata,” requesting that the ambassador leave Ecuador “soon.” While the Mexican government has officially broken all diplomatic ties with Ecuador.
The Sovereignty of Embassies:
Both analysts and specialists have expressed concern over Ecuador’s raid, claiming that this violation could lead to further incursions by hostile governments into the embassies of foreign states. The embassy of foreign nations acts as that nation’s sovereign territory, while a forced entry by armed authorities could be seen as an invasion into Mexican territory, which could lead to dire consequences for the South American nation.
While entire raids are rare, there have been a number of cases relating to governments attempting various other methods in order to arrest individuals or otherwise interfere with diplomatic. In March, the Venezuelan government surrounded the Argentine embassy after members of the nation’s major opposition party, Vente Venezuela, fled to the embassy to apply for political asylum after authorities issued warrants for their arrest.
This led to a days-long siege, which culminated in the cutting of power, water, and other essentials by what one Vente member claims were state workers.
Analysis:
Following the raid, many fellow Latin American nations as well as the United States joined in Mexico’s condemnation of the Ecuadorian government’s actions. Both leftist heads of state and those on the right joined in the condemnation, with the leftist leaders of Brazil and Colombia, along with their right-wing counterparts in Argentina and Uruguay, speaking against the actions of the Ecuadorian government.
While the United States expressed their support for Mexico, stating that they condemn any violation of international law protecting diplomatic missions, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller further encouraged “the two countries to resolve their differences in accord with international norms.”
This raid may lead to the souring of relations between Ecuador and the various foreign nations that hold embassies in the South American country. While it is unclear if Ecuador will face any repercussions for their actions, Mexico may be able to make a case to the International Court of Justice relating to the violations.
