Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena Ibarra has stated that her government will not allow Ecuadorian authorities to enter the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas. Glas is wanted for his alleged participation in an embezzlement case, of which he has pleaded not guilty.
Bárcena emphasized that allowing Ecuadorian authorities to enter the embassy would violate diplomatic immunity. The Mexican Foreign Ministry has not issued an official statement, but a segment of Bárcena’s interview addressing the situation was shared on social media.
Glas sought refuge in the Mexican embassy last December and formally requested political asylum. Ecuadorian authorities have issued preventive detention against Glas in relation to the “Reconstruction of Manabí” case, where he is accused of embezzlement for misuse of public resources following an earthquake in 2016.
Mexico is currently analyzing Glas’s asylum request to determine if it is a case of political persecution or a legal and corruption issue. Bárcena made it clear that Ecuadorian authorities will not be allowed to enter the embassy to arrest Glas. The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry is working on providing a response to the situation.
It remains to be seen how this diplomatic standoff will be resolved as the extradition request from Ecuador faces resistance from the Mexican government.