During a hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Ecuador was accused by Mexico of violating international law by carrying out an armed raid on its embassy in Quito. The incident stemmed from the arrest of former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought asylum in the Mexican embassy in December.
Mexico’s legal adviser to its foreign ministry, Alejandro Celorio, argued that the inviolability of embassies is a fundamental principle of international relations and that the assault on the Mexican embassy in Quito was unlawful. Mexico emphasized that the case was not just about its own interests but had implications for the entire international community.
Following the incident, Mexico swiftly filed a complaint with the ICJ demanding that Ecuador be suspended from the United Nations until it issued a public apology and provided reparations. During the hearing, Mexico requested emergency measures to secure diplomatic premises in Ecuador and allow Mexican officials access to clear out the embassy and diplomats’ residences.
The ICJ is known for lengthy legal proceedings, and its rulings are binding but lack enforcement mechanisms. Ecuador was set to present its response to Mexico’s demands for emergency measures on the same day. In a separate development, Ecuador filed a case against Mexico at the ICJ, alleging that Mexico violated international law by granting asylum to Glas.
The hearing in The Hague highlighted the diplomatic tensions between Mexico and Ecuador and underscored the complexities of international law and relations. Both countries will await further developments in the legal proceedings at the ICJ.