:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/REOYKOVA7FCKTDA53327MLU3NU "The former vice president of Ecuador Jorge Glas began a hunger strike in prison")
Former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas has started a hunger strike in prison in Guayaquil to protest against his arrest, according to his lawyer Sonia Vera. Glas, who has previously been convicted of corruption and is facing new charges, was arrested last Friday after police stormed the Mexican embassy in Quito where he had sought asylum since December.
Vera reported on social media that she was able to contact Glas through a video call, during which he informed her of his hunger strike and expressed gratitude to the Mexican government for granting him asylum. He described the events of his arrest, stating that police officers read him his rights before he fainted due to the beating he had received.
Glas was recently transferred to a health center after suffering a possible decompensation in prison, where he refused to eat provided food for 24 hours. The Penitentiary Service attributed his condition to a possible drug overdose, but the Naval Hospital later confirmed that his health was stable and he was returned to prison.
The former vice president is awaiting a hearing for his third ongoing case, in which he is being investigated for alleged embezzlement in reconstruction works after an earthquake in 2016. Meanwhile, the Mexican government is seeking support from international organizations to condemn the invasion of its diplomatic headquarters and violation of its rights.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has vowed to present the case to the International Court of Justice, condemning the actions as authoritarian and calling for respect for international standards. The situation continues to unfold as Glas remains in prison and awaits further legal proceedings.