Ecuador Faces More Fallout Over Raid at Mexico Embassy as Political Chaos Erupts
The brazen Mexico Embassy raid in Quito, Ecuador by Ecuadorian police to capture former VP Jorge Glas has resulted in not just international condemnation but also political turmoil, with the Daniel Noboa administration being accused of breaking treaties and international law by invading what is considered Mexican soil.
Under Noboa, the administration faced no legitimate opposition as he controlled Congress with a supermajority. This meant that, locally, whatever he did, he would not face any trouble. The same cannot be said on the international stage. However, the international incident has started showing some cracks in Noboa's hold on local power.
After the Mexico Embassy raid, the Citizen Revolution Movement (RC) of former President Rafael Correa declared itself as part of the opposition. The party previously had an agreement with Noboa to support the laws he promoted. Now that they have declared for the opposition, things might change.
"We declare ourselves in opposition within the National Assembly to your government, Mr. Noboa," Viviana Veloz, vice president of the National Assembly and RC member, stated. This could be a big blow to Noboa as the RC holds the most seats in the chamber, according to El Pais.
However, even though the RC holds the most seats, the party does not hold a majority. The reason its defection could throw Ecuador into political turmoil is that it can get other allied parties to block any government projects.
The Auditing Commission of the Assembly, which is made up of members of the new opposition bloc, has now called the ministers of foreign affairs, the interior, and defense to testify regarding the Mexico Embassy raid. This is now regarded as the "first maneuver in the political battle."
READ MORE: Ecuador Declares Mexico Ambassador Persona Non Grata After Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Comments
Mexico Diplomats Exit Ecuador After Embassy Raid, Other Diplomats Show Solidarity
Meanwhile, as several Noboa allies flipped, Mexico diplomats did not exit Quito quietly as they left the country being accompanied by German, Panamanian, Cuban, and Honduran ambassadors to the airport as a show of solidarity. Previously, Mexico's top allies, Spain and the US, also condemned the Ecuadorian government for the raid.
"Our diplomatic staff are leaving everything behind in Ecuador and returning home with their heads held high. Even the dictator [Augusto] Pinochet didn't dare enter the Mexican embassy in Chile," said Mexico's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Barcena, at a press conference. She also added that "Mexico would take the case to the International Court of Justice."
Ecuador President Defends Mexico Embassy Raid That Led to International Condemnation
As the international condemnations started pouring in, Noboa released a statement defending his government's actions in arresting former Vice President Jorge Glas inside Mexican sovereign territory, saying he has made "exceptional decisions to protect national security, the rule of law and the dignity of a population that rejects any type of impunity for criminals, corrupt people or narco-terrorists."
"My obligation is to comply with the rulings of the justice system, and we could not allow sentenced criminals involved in very serious crimes to be given asylum," he added, arguing that this violated the Vienna Convention and other international accords.
READ MORE: Ecuador Political Violence Continues as Local Political Leader Is Killed
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Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Mexican embassy raided in Ecuador: Former vice president Jorge Glas arrested - Al Jazeera English