Mexican president criticizes embassy raid in Ecuadorian capital

ISTANBUL

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday condemned an embassy raid in Ecuador against Mexico’s diplomatic facility as a violation of sovereignty and international law.

Lopez Obrador characterized the raid as "terrible advice" and criticized those behind it for lacking consideration and good judgment.

"It is an authoritarian act. Not even (former dictator Chilean President Augusto) Pinochet dared to do this," he said at a news conference in Mexico City.

Lopez Obrador noted Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa had put his country and people in an internationally difficult situation by ordering the raid and accused Ecuador of resorting to "political dramas" while "lacking" public support and capacity.

'Unprecedentedly complex crisis'

"We reject immunity for criminals and narco-terrorists. We face an unprecedentedly complex crisis with Mexico, and we are aware of it," Noboa said Tuesday in Quito as he highlighted the need for an "extraordinary" response to protect national security.

Noboa alleged that Mexico violated the Caracas Agreement and the Vienna Convention by granting political asylum to former President Jorge Glas but expressed a readiness to negotiate to resolve disagreements, as long as judicial decisions are not negotiated.

He emphasized that his country respects all norms of international law, underscoring that Ecuador is a nation committed to peace and justice.

Ecuadorian police raided Mexico's Embassy in Quito on April 6 to arrest Glas, who had been there since December 2022.

The embassy's Political Affairs Officer, Roberto Canseco, told reporters that police forcefully entered and assaulted embassy staff.

Lopez Obrador instructed his foreign minister to "immediately" suspend relations with Ecuador following the raid.