THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The United Nations’ highest court ruled Thursday on an urgent request from Mexico to order Ecuador to protect Mexican diplomatic property in the wake of the storming of the embassy in Quito to kill a former arrest the vice president.
The April 5 raid, hours after Mexico granted asylum to the former vice president Jorge Glasssparked widespread condemnation in Latin America and increased tensions that had arisen between the two countries since Glas, a convicted criminal and fugitive, took refuge at the embassy in December.
At a hearing late last month, Mexican Foreign Ministry legal adviser Alejandro Celorio Alcantara told judges at the International Court of Justice that Ecuador’s actions “crossed lines in international law that should not be crossed.”
Thursday’s hearing comes in the preliminary stages of a case brought by Mexico accusing Ecuador of violating international law and asking the court to suspend Ecuador from its membership of the United Nations until the country issues “a public apology the violations of the fundamental principles and norms of the United Nations are recognized.” international law” and agrees to reparations.
It will likely take years before the case is resolved. In the meantime, Mexico wants the court to order Ecuador to “take appropriate and immediate steps to provide full protection and security of diplomatic premises” and prevent further intrusions. It also wants Ecuador to make Mexico evacuate its diplomatic buildings and the homes of its diplomats in the country.
During public hearings at the court in The Hague, the head of Ecuador’s legal team, Andres Teran Parral, defended the storming of the Mexican embassy and told judges that his country acted to take custody of Glas, who he ‘ a common criminal’.
He also said the International Court of Justice does not need to act now because Quito has already complied with the measures requested by Mexico.
