Switzerland takes over Mexico’s representation in Ecuador
Published: Monday, Jun 17th 2024, 15:00
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Following the severing of relations, Switzerland is taking over Mexico's diplomatic representation in Ecuador. Mexico's Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena and her Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis signed an agreement to this effect. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs did not comment on the agreement.
The protection mandate also includes the protection of Mexican assets in Ecuador. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) informed the Keystone-SDA news agency on Monday that Switzerland is open to accepting protection mandates.
These were carried out as part of the traditional good offices. The FDFA did not comment on the content of the agreement. Alicia Bárcena wrote on the short message service X that according to the agreement, Switzerland would take over diplomatic and consular functions in Ecuador following the severing of relations with the country. This is being done to protect Mexico's interests.
Embassy stormed
Mexico had granted former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who was convicted of corruption, asylum in its embassy in the capital Quito. The Ecuadorian security forces stormed the embassy at the beginning of April and arrested Glas.
Glas had fled to the embassy in December because he feared being arrested again after being released from a prison sentence. Glas also has German citizenship.
In addition to breaking off diplomatic relations, Mexico filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice in The Hague and demanded the suspension of Ecuador's UN membership. Ecuador justified the violent storming of the Mexican embassy with interference in internal affairs.
Numerous countries and organizations had condemned the Ecuadorian police raid as a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This guarantees the inviolability of embassy buildings.
©Keystone/SDA
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