:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/CYFVGUR5INFHVOHR2DNAVF33EU "Ecuador sued Mexico before the International Court of Justice for granting asylum to Jorge Glas")
Ecuador Files Lawsuit Against Mexico at International Court of Justice
In a surprising turn of events, the government of Ecuador, led by President Daniel Noboa, has filed a lawsuit against Mexico at the International Court of Justice. This comes just one day before the start of hearings regarding a lawsuit filed by Mexico against Ecuador. The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry has accused the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador of failing to comply with international obligations since December 17, 2023.
The lawsuit stems from the case of Jorge Glas, a former vice president of Ecuador who was convicted of corruption and sought asylum in the Mexican Embassy in Quito. Mexico granted him asylum just hours before Ecuadorian police forces stormed the Embassy and arrested him. Ecuador claims that Mexico violated international law by granting asylum to individuals facing criminal charges, failing to cooperate on anti-corruption matters, and interfering in Ecuador’s internal affairs.
The situation escalated further when López Obrador made statements questioning the legitimacy of the 2023 elections in Ecuador, leading to the expulsion of the Mexican ambassador. Ecuador characterized these statements as “false and insulting” and a violation of the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states.
President Noboa has defended Ecuador’s actions, stating that they are on the “right side of history” and condemning the use of embassies for political refuge and impunity. The international community has condemned Ecuador’s invasion of the Mexican diplomatic headquarters, but Ecuador maintains that Mexico initiated the violations of international law.
The hearings at the International Court of Justice are set to begin shortly, setting the stage for a complex legal battle between the two countries.