"Ecuador rejects safe conduct for Glas and strains relations with Mexico."

The recent decision by the Government of Ecuador not to grant a safe conduct pass for former Vice President Jorge David Glas Espinel has generated a wave of repercussions both nationally and internationally. In a statement issued on April 5, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador confirmed that the request made by Mexico the day before was not valid, emphasizing that the granting of diplomatic asylum in this case was not legally valid. The situation became more tense following the incursion of the National Police of Ecuador into the Mexican Embassy in Quito, where Glas had taken refuge since December 2023. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa Azín defended his decision to carry out the raid, claiming he had no regrets about the action that led to Glas's detention. This event not only marked a milestone in Ecuador's internal politics but also deteriorated diplomatic relations with Mexico, which had granted asylum to Glas under the 1954 Convention on Diplomatic Asylum. Glas's situation has attracted the attention of international organizations. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urged the Ecuadorian government to ensure the safety of the former vice president, who is currently held in a maximum-security prison and whose health is reported to be critical. In this context, the Government of Mexico has formally requested that a safe conduct pass be granted to allow Glas to be transferred to a third country, emphasizing the need to protect his life and well-being. The conflict has taken on a legal dimension, with Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretariat arguing that the asylum granted to Glas should be respected by Ecuador. The situation is further complicated by the possibility that legal disputes may be resolved in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Mexico has filed its complaint against Ecuador. The process is set to continue in the coming years, with scheduled hearings that could influence the future of the former vice president and the bilateral relations between the two countries. Since his detention, Glas has faced multiple corruption charges, complicating his legal situation. Although he was provisionally released after serving four and a half years in prison, a new arrest warrant led him to seek refuge in the Mexican embassy. This chain of events has highlighted the fragility of the Ecuadorian judicial system and the polarization facing the country politically. By the end of July 2024, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister María Gabriela Sommerfeld hinted that relations between Ecuador and Mexico might be improving, but details remain scarce. Meanwhile, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has criticized the slow pace of the process in the ICJ and questioned the effectiveness of UN agencies in protecting human rights, suggesting they require urgent renewal. The case of Glas is not only an internal political matter but also reflects a series of complex dynamics in international relations. Ecuador's decision not to yield to Mexican pressure has tested its sovereignty and raised concerns about human rights, especially when discussing a former official who has denounced political pressure and persecution. Amid this legal and political web, Glas's health has become a focal point. The Mexican Foreign Ministry has demanded that, while his legal future is determined, humanitarian measures be taken to ensure his safety and well-being. This adds a new element of urgency to the situation and reinforces Ecuador's responsibility in the treatment of its former vice president. The outcome of this crisis will not only affect Jorge David Glas's future but could also redefine relations between Ecuador and Mexico for years to come. The case has exposed the tensions that can arise when internal politics intertwine with diplomatic relations, challenging both countries to find a path toward a peaceful and just resolution of this conflict. At a time when the global context is marked by rising nationalism and polarization, the Glas case may reflect broader challenges facing democracies in Latin America.