UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is alarmed by the infiltration of Ecuadorian security forces into the Mexican Embassy; the inviolability of diplomatic facilities must be respected, according to a commentary by the Secretary General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
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“The Secretary General is alarmed by the forced entry of Ecuadorian security forces into the premises of the Mexican Embassy in Quito.” Dujarric pointed out.
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According to him, Guterres drew attention to the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, as well as diplomats. The Secretary General emphasized that this principle must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law.
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“The Secretary-General emphasizes that violations of this principle jeopardize the establishment of normal international relations. The Secretary-General calls … on both governments to resolve their differences through peaceful means,” Dujarric concluded.
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On the night of April 6, Ecuadorian police forcibly entered the Mexican Embassy in Quito and took away former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, convicted of corruption. Glas had been hiding in the diplomatic mission since December last year. Mexico granted him political asylum on April 5. Ecuador responded by calling this decision illegal and demanding the extradition of the politician.
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Ecuadorian police entered the territory of the diplomatic mission in armored vehicles, and some law enforcement officers climbed over the walls.
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Diplomats were injured during the storming of the embassy building. Mexico has severed diplomatic relations with Ecuador.
