Ecuador took legal action against Mexico at the International Court of Justice following Mexico City’s decision to grant asylum to Ecuador’s former vice president at its embassy in Quito. The lawsuit was filed on April 29 by Ecuador, accusing Mexico of violating international obligations by providing asylum to Jorge Glas.
In an attempt to arrest Glas, Ecuadorian police raided the Mexican embassy in Quito on April 5. However, the move backfired when Mexico severed diplomatic ties with Quito and filed a counter-lawsuit at the ICJ against Ecuador. The trial is scheduled to commence on April 30. Various countries and organizations, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations, criticized Ecuador for violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The International Court of Justice is the world’s leading court for resolving legal disputes between countries over alleged violations of international law. The ICJ’s decisions are binding, but enforcement is reliant on the compliance of the parties involved. In this case, it appears that both sides may have breached their obligations under international law.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa defended the raid as necessary, citing concerns that Glas could evade justice. However, it ultimately led to a breakdown in diplomatic relations between Mexico and Ecuador and has resulted in a legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for both countries and their relationships with other nations.