The decision by Ecuador to forcibly enter the Mexican Embassy on Saturday and arrest a former vice president of the Andean country on corruption charges represents a breach of international law, the UN Secretary-General has said.
In a statement released on Saturday night, António Guterres said he was alarmed by the raid on the embassy in the capital Quito which led to the arrest of Jorge Glas.
The Secretary-General “reaffirms the cardinal principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel, emphasizing that this principle must be respected in all cases, in accordance with international law”. Said the statement released by UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
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Mexico had granted asylum to Mr. Glas who was sheltering in the embassy, but the Government of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa argued that normal diplomatic rules were invalid due to the corruption charges he faced.
‘Normal relations’ at risk
“The Secretary-General stresses that violations of this principle jeopardize the pursuit of normal international relations, which are critical for the advancement of cooperation between States”, said Mr. Dujarric.
The breach of the embassy and arrest led Mexico to suspend diplomatic relations with and Mexico’s president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reportedly criticized the move as “authoritarian” and a breach of national sovereignty.
Governments across the region and across the political spectrum also criticized the embassy incursion, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay.
Mr. Glas has been staying in the embassy since December. Social media posts showed him being taken by police convoy to the airport in the capital, before being flown to Ecuador’s largest city, Guayaquil.
Seek resolution, urges Guterres
“The Secretary-General calls for moderation and exhorts both Governments to solve their differences through peaceful means”, Mr. Dujarric concluded.
The embassy raid followed Mexico granting Mr Glas’s request for asylum earlier on Friday. The former vice premier is facing further corruption charges having been convicted in 2017 for taking bribes from a Brazilian construction company, in exchange for awarding Government contracts.
Mr. Glas reportedly argues that the fresh charges are politically motivated.
Late on Saturday the Washington DC-based Organization of American States called for dialogue between Ecuador and Quito to resolve the diplomatic rift, adding that its permanent council would convene to discuss the need for strict compliance with international laws including the guarantee of the right to asylum.
Elliot is an award-winning journalist passionate about international affairs and humanitarian causes. Elliot has covered stories from conflict zones and areas devastated by disasters, highlighting critical global issues.
It is crucial that the cardinal principle of diplomatic inviolability is upheld at all times. The recent actions by Ecuador represent a serious breach of international law, putting the foundations of diplomatic relations at risk. Such violations must not go unpunished.
In the current situation, it is imperative that countries adhere to international law and respect the inviolability of diplomatic premises. The actions taken by Ecuador are a clear violation of established norms and put the pursuit of normal international relations at risk. Diplomatic integrity must be upheld to ensure cooperation between nations.
Do you think Ecuador had any other options in handling the situation with Mr. Glas at the Mexican Embassy?
As a journalist who has covered international affairs for years, I believe Ecuador could have pursued diplomatic channels and negotiations before resorting to the dramatic action of forcibly entering the embassy. Diplomatic solutions should always be exhausted before breaching the inviolability of diplomatic premises.
It’s concerning to see the breach of international law with Ecuador’s forcible entry into the Mexican Embassy. The inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel must be upheld at all times for the sake of fostering cooperation between nations. This jeopardizes the pursuit of normal international relations. Mexico is right to suspend diplomatic relations in response to these actions.
It is indeed concerning that Ecuador decided to violate the diplomatic immunity of the Mexican Embassy. Such actions undermine the foundation of international relations and set a dangerous precedent for diplomatic norms. The international community must prioritize upholding the inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel to ensure peaceful interactions between nations.
It’s appalling that Ecuador would violate the inviolability of diplomatic premises. International laws must be respected to maintain proper relations between countries. Mexico’s decision to grant asylum should have been honored.
It is concerning to see the breach of international law by Ecuador by forcibly entering the Mexican Embassy and arresting Jorge Glas. The inviolability of diplomatic premises should be upheld at all times to maintain integrity in international relations.
It is concerning that Ecuador decided to violate the inviolability of the Mexican Embassy. Diplomatic premises and personnel should be respected to maintain stable international relations. This incident could have severe repercussions on diplomatic ties between the countries.
Mexico should uphold the inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel as per international law. The breach of the embassy in Ecuador sets a dangerous precedent that could strain international relations and hinder cooperation between nations. It’s crucial to respect established diplomatic norms for the sake of peaceful interactions among countries.
It is deeply concerning to see the breach of diplomatic inviolability in this situation. The actions taken by Ecuador not only violate international law but also put at risk the maintenance of normal international relations. It is crucial for all countries to uphold the principle of inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel to ensure cooperation and respect among nations.