Venezuela and Honduras took diplomatic actions in response to the recent police raid at Mexico’s embassy in Quito, Ecuador. During a virtual summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Tuesday, Honduras recalled its charge d’affaires from Ecuador to convey its disapproval and uphold international law. Venezuela announced the closure of its embassy and consulates in Ecuador until international law is reinstated in the country.
The police raid aimed to apprehend former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought refuge in the Mexican embassy to evade imprisonment for corruption charges. However, such actions are prohibited under international law, which protects diplomatic premises from unauthorized entry by local law enforcement. Mexico responded by filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice and severing diplomatic ties with Ecuador.
Honduras pledged support for Mexico’s actions at the UN and the International Court of Justice. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the raid as barbaric and echoed Mexico’s demand for an apology. He urged for Glas’s transfer to Mexican custody, as Mexico had offered him political asylum before his arrest. Meanwhile, Glas remains imprisoned in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he initiated a hunger strike to protest his arrest.
Ecuador defended the raid as necessary for national security and justice. President Daniel Noboa emphasized the government’s commitment to combating impunity and upholding the rule of law. Despite a tribunal declaring the raid illegal, Glas’s imprisonment was upheld, highlighting the complexities surrounding the incident.
