Venezuela protests with 'embassy closure'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stated in a post on his social media account that they made this decision to protest the raid on the Mexican Embassy in Quito. 

Maduro said, "I have ordered the closure of our embassy in Ecuador and our consulates in Guayaquil. I have requested that the diplomatic staff return to Venezuela immediately. Our decision will remain in effect until international law is restored in Ecuador."

Emphasizing their full support for Mexico on this matter, Maduro noted the following:

"The people of Mexico are not alone. The people of Venezuela stand with you with all their solidarity and support. This act of barbarism committed against the embassy is an action that no one can defend. Venezuela strongly supports Mexico's decision to take this incident to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Ecuadorian police raided the Mexican Embassy in Quito on April 6, where former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas had been staying since December 2022, in order to take him into custody.

Roberto Canseco, the head of political affairs at the embassy, reported to journalists that the Ecuadorian police had forced their way inside and attacked the staff.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador stated that he had instructed the Foreign Minister to pursue legal action, saying, "This is a flagrant violation of international law and Mexico's sovereignty. I have given instructions for the immediate suspension of diplomatic relations with the Ecuadorian government."

On April 12, Mexico filed a complaint with the ICJ against Ecuador for raiding its embassy in Quito and requested that the country's activities at the United Nations (UN) be suspended.

News Source: AA