Mexico’s president says his country is breaking diplomatic ties with Ecuador after embassy raid
NBCMar 29
Former Ecuador VP Glas Hospitalized After Embassy Arrest
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Image copyright: AgenciaAndes/Flickr [via Wikimedia Commons]
The Facts
The detained former Ecuadorian Vice President at the center of a diplomatic row with Mexico, Jorge Glas, has been hospitalized. He is in stable condition after feeling ill, prison authorities stated after his lawyers claimed to be unable to contact him.
Convicted on bribery and corruption charges, Glas was arrested late on Friday when police broke into the Mexican embassy in Quito, where he had been residing since December, hours after he was granted political asylum.
The Spin
Narrative A
It's no wonder such widespread outrage erupted over this incident. Ecuador has breached long-established rules on diplomatic immunity with its forces raiding Mexico's embassy in Quito and even injuring staff within the premises. Additionally, this arrest violates the regional 1954 Convention on Diplomatic Asylum.
Narrative B
Though some may claim that Ecuador has violated international law with this embassy raid and arrest, it's effectively the other way around. It was Mexico that abused its immunities and privileges to illegitimately grant political asylum and provide refuge to a convicted common criminal. The actions taken in Quito were entirely justified.
