Mexico says will take Ecuador to the ICJ

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Apr 2024 10:15

Mexico's Foreign Minister announces that Mexico City intends to file a complaint against Ecuador following the embassy raid in Quito.

Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena speaks at a meeting on Haiti at the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 11, 2024. (AP)

Mexico plans to pursue legal action against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice in response to the embassy raid in Quito according to the Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena.

Barcena announced, during an event welcoming Mexican diplomats who left Ecuador earlier on Sunday, "Starting tomorrow we are going to the ICJ where we are presenting this sad case," adding, "We believe that we can win this case quickly."

Spain and the European Union, alongside the United Nations chief and nations from Latin America, have joined in condemning Quito for the embassy raid.

Mexico evacuates Ecuador embassy

The Mexican Foreign Ministry confirmed on Sunday that its embassy in Ecuador is evacuating all of its staff, and is closing indefinitely following the arrest of former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas who was taking refuge in the embassy compound, leading to the bilateral diplomatic relations being severed.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said, "Mexico reiterates its condemnation of the violation of the immunity of its embassy in Quito and the aggression against its personnel. The Foreign Ministry will evacuate all diplomatic personnel and their families from Ecuador on Sunday, April 7. The Embassy of Mexico will remain closed indefinitely."

It added that the return of diplomatic staff and respective families is being coordinated by top Mexican diplomat Alicia Barcena, per the instruction of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Obrador was quoted in the statement as saying, "We are looking after our diplomats; they are not alone. They have shown dignity and decorum, as seen by the attitude of Raquel Serur, our ambassador, and Roberto Canseco, deputy chief of mission at the embassy."

The government of Mexico granted political asylum to former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who took refuge at the Embassy of Mexico in Quito. The government of Ecuador, under President Daniel Noboa, labelled the embassy's decision as an "illicit act" and dismissed the idea of providing safe passage for Glas to leave, and prompting the government to consider Mexico's ambassador in Quito, Raquel Serur, persona non grata.