Ecuadorian Police Raid Mexican Embassy in Quito to Arrest Former Vice President, Prompting Mexico to Cut Diplomatic Ties

In a shocking turn of events, Ecuadorian police officers forcibly entered the Mexican embassy in Quito on Friday night to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought political asylum there after being indicted on corruption charges. Glas had been residing in the embassy since December and was granted asylum earlier on Friday. The move prompted Mexico's President Andres Manuel L??pez Obrador to announce the immediate suspension of diplomatic relations with Ecuador.

The arrest of Glas, who had been convicted on bribery and corruption charges, was met with outrage from Mexican officials. Mexico's Foreign Secretary Alicia Barcena Ibarra declared the breaking of diplomatic relations with Ecuador, citing the violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and injuries suffered by Mexican diplomatic personnel during the raid.

The Ecuadorian presidency defended the arrest, stating that Mexico had abused the immunities and privileges granted to the diplomatic mission that housed Glas. President Daniel Noboa's office emphasized that "no criminal can be considered politically persecuted" and that the arrest was carried out in accordance with the law.

The escalating tensions between Mexico and Ecuador began earlier in the week when Mexico's president made statements regarding the most recent Ecuadorian elections. Ecuador responded by declaring Mexico's ambassador persona non grata, leading to the embassy's decision to grant asylum to Glas.

The situation remains fluid as Mexico prepares to take the case to the International Court of Justice to denounce Ecuador's violations of international law. The Mexican Embassy in Quito remains under heavy police guard as both countries navigate the aftermath of this unprecedented diplomatic incident.