Mexico has initiated legal proceedings against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice concerning the breach of its embassy in Quito.

According to Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena, Thursday's lawsuit against Ecuador aimed to "suspend" Ecuador's membership in the United Nations as a way to "guarantee the reparation of the moral damage inflicted on the Mexican state and its nationals."

Speaking to a press conference, the FM noted that the only other way would be if Quito issued a public apology "recognizing the violations of the fundamental principles and norms of international law."

Similarly, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told the press conference that the lawsuit's goal was "that this doesn't repeat itself in any other country in the world, that international law is guaranteed." 
 
In turn, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has justified the embassy raid as essential for detaining Glas, citing concerns about his flight risk. Noboa expressed a willingness to "resolve any difference" with Mexico, indicating a readiness for dialogue and resolution.

Diplomatic efforts unfold on global stage

Regarding the call to suspend Ecuador from the UN, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that this is "an issue for member states to decide," stressing, "We do very much hope that the tensions between Ecuador and Mexico are dealt with through dialogue."
 
While a thorough hearing on the issue may extend over several years, Mexico has additionally petitioned international judges to issue "provisional measures" to safeguard its diplomatic personnel given that "The Mexican Embassy in Ecuador, along with its property and archives, faces the risk of not being protected or further being violated again."
 
Dujarric said suspending a country from the UN is "an issue for member states to decide."

As for Latin American countries, Honduran President Xiomara Castro, also serving as president of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, announced that leaders will hold a virtual conference next Tuesday to discuss the embassy breach in Quito and "firm condemnations" are expected to emerge alongside possible sanctions.

In Germany, a foreign ministry source told AFP, "We are following Mr Glas's case very closely and are trying to seek direct contact with him through the Ecuadoran authorities," noting that Glas also has a German citizenship.

A quick rundown

Ecuador's storming of the Mexican embassy was publicly condemned by at least 20 countries, and numerous international organizations, as well as the UN.

Mexican authorities released footage of the storming of the embassy by Ecuadorian forces to arrest former Ecuadorian VP Jorge Glas.#Ecuador #Mexico pic.twitter.com/v05abVfHLT

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 11, 2024

Glas, who held a position in the administration of leftist Rafael Correa from 2013 to 2017, sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in December last year following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him on charges of corruption.

The government of Mexico granted him political asylum, after which he sought refuge at the Embassy of Mexico in Quito. The government of Ecuador labeled the embassy's decision an "illicit act" and dismissed the idea of providing safe passage for Glas to leave and called Mexico's ambassador in Quito, Raquel Serur, persona non grata.

Mexico complained of "harassment" after the Ecuadorian government increased police presence outside the Mexican embassy, which Mexico's President slammed on April 5 during his daily address, saying, "This is what fascists are like."

Alicia Bárcena, Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, informed the Mexican President of this "flagrant violation of international law and Mexico's sovereignty," an act which prompted the President to announce that he "instructed our Foreign Minister to issue a statement on this authoritarian act, proceed legally and immediately declare the suspension of diplomatic relations with the government of Ecuador."

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