Diplomatic crisis between Mexico and Ecuador over the case of Jorge Glas and his asylum.

The recent request from the Government of Mexico for a safe conduct pass to allow the departure of Jorge Glas, former vice president of Ecuador, has brought the relations between both countries to the forefront of international debate. Glas, who held office from 2013 to 2018 under the presidencies of Rafael Correa and Lenín Moreno, finds himself in a complicated legal situation after being convicted in 2017 for receiving bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. His conditional release in November 2022 did not mark the end of his legal troubles, as he continues to face serious charges, including embezzlement related to the reconstruction efforts following the 2016 earthquake in Ecuador. The situation became more complex on April 5 of this year when Ecuadorian police forces entered the Mexican embassy in Quito, an unprecedented act that resulted in Glas's detention. Since then, the former vice president has been held in a maximum-security prison in Guayaquil, where his defense has reported that his health condition is critical. In light of this situation, the Mexican government has requested that his well-being be guaranteed while it assesses the safe conduct request. The request for a safe conduct has generated significant diplomatic uproar. Mexico has denounced that during the intervention at its embassy, two of its officials were assaulted, prompting President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) to order the severing of diplomatic relations with Ecuador. Additionally, a complaint has been filed with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the alleged violation of Mexican sovereignty. Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Gallegos, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, explains that the ICJ is evaluating the claims from both countries, including a lawsuit filed by Ecuador questioning the legality of the asylum granted to Glas. Both governments have not maintained formal diplomatic relations since the conflict, leading Mexico to submit its safe conduct request at the Mexican embassy in Switzerland. The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, for its part, has reiterated that it does not consider the granting of asylum to Glas to be lawful, arguing that the former vice president faces serious corruption charges that must be addressed by Ecuadorian justice. AMLO's handling of this situation has generated criticism and questions regarding Mexico's intervention in Ecuador's internal affairs. During a recent press conference, the Mexican president defended his position by stating that protecting political refugees is a fundamental principle of his country's foreign policy. However, diplomat Gallegos warns that the president's comments could exacerbate tensions and not contribute to resolving the conflict. The conflict between Ecuador and Mexico has not only affected bilateral relations but also raises questions about the role of international organizations, such as the UN, in mediating diplomatic crises. AMLO has criticized the UN's ineffectiveness in preventing human rights violations and conflicts between nations, leading to increased polarization in public opinion regarding the relevance of these organizations today. Meanwhile, the ICJ is expected to rule on the claims made by both countries in the coming months. The decision they make could set an important precedent in the interpretation and application of asylum norms and the protection of political refugees at the international level. As the case progresses, the future of Jorge Glas and the relationship between Mexico and Ecuador remains uncertain. The situation continues to be the subject of analysis and debate both politically and socially, and it is clear that the outcome of this conflict will have significant repercussions on the diplomatic dynamics of the region. The international community is closely watching how events unfold and hopes for a solution that respects both human rights and the rule of law in Ecuador. Meanwhile, the figure of Jorge Glas is becoming a symbol of the complexities faced by Latin American countries in the context of justice, corruption, and foreign policy.