Ecuador has taken legal action against Mexico at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) after Mexico City granted asylum to Ecuador’s former vice president at its embassy in Quito. The lawsuit was filed on April 29, accusing Mexico of violating international obligations by providing asylum to Jorge Glas.
The ICJ is the world’s leading court for resolving legal disputes between countries over alleged violations of international law. Its decisions are binding, but enforcement is reliant on the compliance of the parties involved. In this case, Ecuador believes that Mexico’s actions were a breach of international law and interference in its internal affairs.
In an attempt to arrest Glas, Ecuadorian police raided the Mexican embassy in Quito on April 5. After his release from prison in November 2022, Glas faced a new arrest warrant for embezzlement of earthquake relief funds and sought asylum at the Mexican embassy.
Following the police raid, Mexico City severed diplomatic ties with Quito and filed a counter-lawsuit at the ICJ against Ecuador. The trial is set to commence on April 30. Various countries and organizations, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, have criticized Ecuador for violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa defended the raid as necessary to ensure that justice was served and that Glas did not evade prosecution. Despite medical treatment, Glas was returned to prison to face pending legal charges. This case highlights the complexities of international relations and how even small disputes can escalate into full-blown legal battles between nations.