Honduras Recalls Top Diplomat From Ecuador Over Mexico Embassy Raid

TEGUCIGALPA: Honduras is recalling its senior diplomat in Ecuador, in the latest action taken in response to Ecuador’s raid earlier this month on the Mexican embassy in Quito.

Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said the Honduran business manager Clarivel Vallecillo, who has been stationed at the embassy, will return to Tegucigalpa for consultations. Honduras backs Mexico’s recently-filed case against Ecuador in the U.N.’s International Court of Justice, he added.

The April 5 raid on the Mexican embassy to arrest former Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas triggered an abrupt break in relations between Mexico City and Quito, as well as wave of condemnation for the decision by Ecuador’s government to force its way into the facility.

Glas, twice convicted of corruption and now facing fresh charges, had sought refuge in the embassy since late last year. The government of Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa has argued that Mexican officials had illegally granted Glas protection at their embassy.

Late last week, a court in Ecuador ruled that the dramatic arrest of Glas was illegal, but added he must remain in jail due to his previous convictions. Glas’ lawyer pledged to appeal the ruling.

Mexico snapped diplomatic ties with Ecuador after the embassy raid, and complained that partners such as the United States and Canada have been very ambiguous in their response to the incident.

This prompted a quick response from Washington. “The Ecuadorian government disregarded its obligations under international law as a host state to respect the inviolability of diplomatic missions and jeopardized the foundation of basic diplomatic norms and relationships,” said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. “We’ve asked Ecuador to work with Mexico to find a resolution to this diplomatic dispute.”
(REUTERS)