Ecuador has filed a lawsuit against Mexico at the International Court of Justice over Mexico City’s decision to grant 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 Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Mexico’s actions were a breach of international law and interference in Ecuador’s internal affairs. The International Court of Justice is the world’s leading court for resolving legal disputes between countries over alleged violations of international law. The ICJ’s decisions are binding, but enforcement is reliant on the compliance of the parties involved.
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, prompting his seeking 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 scheduled to commence on April 30. Various countries and organizations, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, criticized Ecuador for violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa defended the raid as necessary, citing concerns that Glas could evade justice. Despite his medical treatment, he was returned to prison to face the pending legal charges.