Mexico has raised concerns at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding an armed raid on its embassy in Quito by Ecuador, stating that this action violated international law. The incident pertains to the arrest of Ecuador’s former Vice President, Jorge Glas, who had been residing in the Mexican embassy since December after being convicted of corruption. He was apprehended on April 5 by Ecuadorean police in a raid shortly after Mexico granted him asylum status.
At the ICJ hearing, Alejandro Celorio, a legal adviser to Mexico’s foreign ministry, emphasized that there is no international law that justifies the breach of embassy inviolability or the conduct of a lawful operation like the assault on the Mexican embassy. He stressed that this case is significant not only for Mexico but for the international community as a whole, highlighting the importance of upholding the immunity of diplomats and diplomatic premises in fostering positive relations between nations.
Mexico promptly brought the matter to the ICJ after the raid, seeking emergency measures to protect its embassy and other diplomatic properties in Ecuador, as well as requesting access for Mexican officials to secure diplomatic buildings and diplomats’ private residences in the country. The ICJ process typically involves lengthy proceedings before a final ruling is issued, and while decisions made by the court are binding, enforcement mechanisms are limited.
Ecuador is expected to present its response to Mexico’s call for emergency measures at the ICJ hearing. Additionally, Ecuador has filed its own case against Mexico at the ICJ, alleging that Mexico violated international law by granting asylum to Jorge Glas. The outcomes of these legal proceedings at the international level will have implications for diplomatic relations and adherence to legal norms between the two countries.