Mexico says it is severing relations with Ecuador after its embassy was stormed by Ecuadoran police in Quito to arrest former Vice-President Jorge Glas.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said they had “forcibly entered” the embassy in a “flagrant violation of international law”.
Glas took refuge in the embassy last December after Ecuador issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged corruption.
Glas served as Ecuador’s vice-president between 2013 and 2017. He was relieved of his duties because of mounting corruption allegations against him.
Later that year he was sentenced to six years in jail in connection with corruption at the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht over allegations that he took $13.5m in bribes.
He was released from prison in November but Ecuadorian authorities then issued another arrest warrant alleging further allegations of corruption, triggering Glas to seek refuge in the Mexican embassy.
On Friday, Mexico said it had granted Glas political asylum “after a thorough analysis” of the situation – an action Ecuador viewed as illegal.
Photographs from the scene show police scaling a wall and metal fence at the embassy’s closed entrance.
“This is a flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico.”
Tension between the two countries has been mounting in recent days. On Wednesday, Mr Obrador made remarks, considered “unfortunate” by Ecuador, about violence during last year’s election – won by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa.
The following day Ecuador declared the Mexican ambassador a persona non grata and said she should leave the country.
Mexico Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Ecuador Over Police Raid On Its Embassy
