Ecuadorian police officers broke into the Mexican Embassy in Quito to capture former Vice President Jorge Glas, who had requested political asylum from Mexico after being granted it. This incident led to the suspension of diplomatic relations between the two countries by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Glas, who was previously imprisoned for nearly five years for corruption allegations, is currently being prosecuted. He claims that his convictions were a result of political persecution. Video footage verified by EFE showed several police officers climbing the walls and fences of the Mexican Embassy before entering the residence. The head of Foreign Ministry and Political Affairs at the Embassy denounced the Ecuadorian agents for breaking in and attacking staff on guard duty.
The incident occurred just a day after Ecuador declared the Mexican ambassador in Quito persona non grata due to comments made by López Obrador about the murder of former Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio and its electoral consequences. The Mexican president’s comments were deemed “very unfortunate” by the Ecuadorian Government, leading to strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Villavicencio was murdered in August 2023, and his death had an impact on the outcome of the presidential elections in Ecuador. López Obrador’s opinion on the matter was seen as disrespectful by the Ecuadorian Government, leading to further tension between the two countries.
