Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa’s decision to send police officers into the Mexican Embassy to arrest politician Jorge Glas, who had taken refuge there, has caused tensions between Ecuador and Mexico but may benefit Noboa politically. Facing falling approval ratings and rising violence ahead of a referendum that could impact his re-election prospects, the arrest of Glas, a former vice president sentenced for corruption, sends a message that Noboa is tough on crime and corruption.
The arrest comes as Noboa seeks to restore law and order in Ecuador, which has been plagued by gang violence and corruption. While the aggressive response initially reduced violence, it has since escalated, with 137 murders over Easter weekend. A referendum to increase security measures and military presence is scheduled for two weeks.
While some Ecuadoreans support the arrest, others see it as a violation of international law and worry about the impact on diplomatic relations and the safety of migrants passing through Mexico. Other countries in the region, including Honduras, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, have criticized the arrest, with Nicaragua suspending diplomatic relations with Ecuador.
The United States has condemned any violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and called on both countries to resolve their differences. The situation continues to unfold as Noboa navigates the political fallout from the arrest and works to address the challenges facing Ecuador.
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