The government of Ecuador has condemned what it described as an attempt by a US federal immigration agent to enter the Ecuadorean consulate in Minneapolis. The agent was prevented from gaining access by consular officials, who acted 'to guarantee the protection of the Ecuadoreans who were inside the consulate at the time', a statement by Ecuador's foreign ministry said.
Ecuador, whose president is an ally of Trump, has filed an official complaint. The incident comes at a time of high tension in the US city, just days after intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by border agents during protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
Ecuador's foreign ministry stated that an ICE agent had 'tried to enter the premises of the consulate' around 11:00 local time. Under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, consular premises are considered 'inviolable', and the authorities of the host country cannot enter the places used for work without the consent of the head of the consular post.
Ecuador emphasized that its officials did not consent to the ICE agent entering the consulate and that any assumptions of consent must fall within the scope of emergency scenarios. A video shared by Ecuadorean media seemingly shows a consular official denying the ICE agent entry, stating it is a foreign government's office. The incident highlights rising diplomatic tensions, particularly as Ecuador recently sought to strengthen its commercial ties with the U.S. amid escalating immigration enforcement efforts.
Ecuador, whose president is an ally of Trump, has filed an official complaint. The incident comes at a time of high tension in the US city, just days after intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by border agents during protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
Ecuador's foreign ministry stated that an ICE agent had 'tried to enter the premises of the consulate' around 11:00 local time. Under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, consular premises are considered 'inviolable', and the authorities of the host country cannot enter the places used for work without the consent of the head of the consular post.
Ecuador emphasized that its officials did not consent to the ICE agent entering the consulate and that any assumptions of consent must fall within the scope of emergency scenarios. A video shared by Ecuadorean media seemingly shows a consular official denying the ICE agent entry, stating it is a foreign government's office. The incident highlights rising diplomatic tensions, particularly as Ecuador recently sought to strengthen its commercial ties with the U.S. amid escalating immigration enforcement efforts.
