Mexico and Ecuador are at odds, with each accusing the other of wrongdoing. A UN judge must decide the case.
It is difficult for sinful humans to treat one another well, especially when entire countries are filled with such quarrels and contentions as described in James 4:1. In April, a problem arose in Latin America.
An Ecuadorian court last year convicted former Vice President Jorge Gras of bribery and corruption charges. Gras fled to the Mexican Embassy in Quito. On April 5, four months later, Mexican embassy officials granted asylum to the fugitive.
Ecuadorian police then stormed the embassy, ​​and security footage shows them shoving the Mexican ambassador to the ground during the raid, sparking major “conflicts and clashes” between the two countries.
An embassy is the headquarters for a government representative in another country. Important government officials work and sometimes live there. Most embassies enjoy special privileges. For example, embassy staff have something called “diplomatic immunity.” This means that the host country cannot prosecute embassy staff for violating local laws.
An embassy is considered property of the host country, not the host country. No one can enter an embassy without permission, and they can't even put out fires.
Attacking another country's embassy is considered an attack on that country, so people may seek refuge in the embassy of one that is friendly to their cause.
Mexico claims Ecuadorian forces violated international law when they stormed the Mexican embassy to seize Mr Grass.
Latin American leaders condemned the attack, with many saying it violated the rules of international relations known as the Vienna Convention.
“There are lines in international law that should not be crossed,” said Mexican legal adviser Alejandro Celorio Alcántara. “Ecuador has crossed them.” He warned that this behavior could become a pattern.
Mexico is asking the UN's International Court of Justice (IJC) to “provide full protection and security” to the embassy, ​​pay compensation and suspend Ecuador's UN status.
Ecuador has defended the break-in at the Mexican embassy, ​​with authorities saying they acted to arrest convicted felons who were inside.
Ecuador has filed its own lawsuit before the IJC, arguing that Mexico is in violation of the Vienna Convention by granting asylum to convicted criminals.
“For months, Mexico has been misusing its diplomatic facilities in Quito to harbor common criminals,” said Andrés Terán Parral, head of Ecuador's defense team.
Given these back-and-forths, it will likely be several months before the IJC sorts out the charges and issues a ruling.
Why? World conflicts offer a glimpse into human relationships. Pride, greed, selfishness, and lawlessness are the things that motivate nations and individuals. God calls and equips Christians to act differently.
