International leaders have condemned Ecuador after police in the country's capital broke into the Mexican Embassy on Friday to arrest a former vice president who had been granted political asylum.

International leaders have condemned Ecuador after police in the country’s capital broke into the Mexican Embassy to arrest a former vice president who had been granted political asylum.

The raid late Friday prompted Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to break off diplomatic relations with Ecuador, while his government’s foreign relations secretary said the move will be challenged at the World Court in The Hague.

Police broke through the external doors of the embassy in Quito to arrest Jorge Glas, who had been residing there since December. He had sought asylum after being indicted on corruption charges and it had been granted hours earlier.

The break-in was widely condemned.

The Organization of American States in a statement reminded its members, which include Ecuador and Mexico, of their obligation not to “invoke norms of domestic law to justify non-compliance with their international obligations.”

  • The Uncanny Observer@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    152·
    7 months ago

    That’s a good question. I think we should consider it closely. Say the United States invaded Russia to arrest Edward Snowden, you would support that? Because it’s the same thing. That embassy is sovereign Mexican territory. That’s how embassies work. Them raiding it is legally no different than them invading Mexico with an armed force.

    • Oisteink@feddit.nlEnglish
      32·
      7 months ago

      I get that international law states this, but I’m not sure it works the same in real life. Will be interesting to see if Mexico answers to the invasion of their country with more than words.

      • BreakDecks@lemmy.mlEnglish
        7·
        7 months ago

        Making an exception to international law for “real life” is just violating international law…

        There are consequences for doing that, such as none of your allies ever trusting you again.

        • Oisteink@feddit.nlEnglish
          32·
          7 months ago

          Yeah - it’s gonna be real harsh for them going forward now. Unlike Russia and Israel, who both seem to handle breaking international law without dire consequences

          Edit: typos

      • Rapidcreek@lemmy.worldEnglish
        43·
        7 months ago

        Actually it’s a breech of international law more than anything. A cause for war is a bridge too far.

    • Rapidcreek@lemmy.worldEnglish
      33·
      7 months ago

      An invading country can and most often does arrest offenders. It’s not the same thing.