Venezuela closes diplomatic mission in Ecuador after Mexican embassy raid

Speaking at the online conference of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on April 16, President Maduro revealed that he had ordered "diplomatic officials to return to Venezuela immediately... until international law is restored in Ecuador," according to AFP.

Countries in the region are considering possible sanctions against Ecuador, after its security forces stormed the Mexican embassy in Quito to arrest former Ecuadorian vice president Jorge Glas, who is wanted on corruption charges and has been granted asylum in Mexico.

Tổng thống Venezuela Nicolas Maduro tham dự hội nghị trực tuyến của CELAC ngày 16.4 — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro attends CELAC's online conference on April 16

Honduran President Xiomara Castro, the current chair of CELAC, said the organization "strongly condemns" the raid that took place on April 5, calling it a "barbaric" act.

Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina announced on April 16 that his country had recalled a senior diplomat from Ecuador for consultations, while emphasizing that Honduras supported the lawsuit that Mexico initiated against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice, according to Reuters.

President Maduro has demanded the release of Mr Glas, who is being held in a high-security prison, and his extradition to Mexico.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva proposed setting up a commission to look into Mr Glas' health.

The rare breach of diplomatic premises sparked an international outcry and prompted Mexico to sever ties with Ecuador and withdraw its diplomats. Nicaragua subsequently severed ties with Ecuador.

Mexico has filed a lawsuit against Ecuador at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, saying it wants the country suspended from the United Nations.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called on CELAC member states to support Mexico by co-signing the lawsuit at the United Nations court.

Several Latin American countries, Spain, the European Union (EU), the United States and the head of the United Nations have condemned the embassy raid, saying it was a violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

However, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said storming the Mexican embassy to arrest Mr Glas was necessary because he was at risk of fleeing, and said he was ready to "resolve any differences" with Mexico.

Mr. Noboa did not attend the CELAC conference on April 16 but was represented by Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld.

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