In a significant event that has since sparked diplomatic row and public outcry, Ecuadorian police forces have made an unprecedented move by arresting former Vice President Jorge Glas at the Mexican embassy in the country’s capital city of Quito. This extraordinary event has subsequently caused ripples in both diplomatic and public circles, prompting numerous responses on various scales.
Jorge Glas, who stood as Vice President of Ecuador from 2013 to 2018 under then-President Rafael Correa, was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2017 on charges of receiving bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. However, in an unexpected twist, Glas sought asylum in the Mexican embassy in Quito in February, claiming political persecution by the Ecuadorian government. The Ecuadorian authorities, in a conflicting action with international law on diplomatic inviolability, raided the Mexican embassy and arrested Glas, causing what could be described as potentially one of the most significant diplomatic incidents between the two nations in recent history.
The diplomatic fallout from this event has been substantial. The Mexican government expressed its severe displeasure at the Ecuadorian government’s decision to violate the diplomatic sanctity of its Quito embassy. Such an action is seen as a direct contravention of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, which clearly stipulates the inviolability of diplomatic missions’ premises, regardless of the nature of any criminal charges. Mexico, as an immediate response, has severed diplomatic ties with Ecuador and demanded the release of Glas.
Internationally, this incident has raised a hue-and-cry prompting responses from international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. These organizations expressed deep concern over the potential human rights violation of Glas and questioned the Ecuadorian government’s adherence to international law principles. This, in itself, has created a pressure on the international community to react and demand a judicial review of the decision.
Public outcry within Ecuador has also been considerable. The supporters of Glas, as well as those who criticise the actions of President Lenín Moreno’s government, have held public demonstrations across the country demanding the release of the former Vice President. The critics state this as a clear case of political persecution, arguing that the current government is suppressing opposition voices through such draconian measures.
On a policy stakes level, this incident brings a new perspective to the precursors shaping the relationships between countries. It signifies a departure from traditional diplomatic norms and raises important questions concerning respect for the rule of law and the sanctity of diplomatic relations. The potential increase in unilateral actions by nations might thereby pave the way for potential changes in the international diplomatic landscape.
In conclusion, the arrest of Jorge Glas has created a storm within international diplomatic circles and the Ecuadorian public. This incident not only showcases a precarious situation within Ecuador’s political structure but also underlines a pivotal point in international relations. The fallout from this unprecedented action by Ecuador will undoubtedly be a topic of future diplomatic discussions and could lead to substantial shifts in international diplomatic rules and norms.
