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 said in a statement that an agent of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) had tried to enter the premises of the consulate at 11:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, consular premises are considered inviolable.
According to the Convention, the authorities of the country where the consulate is located shall not enter the parts of the consulate used for work except with the consent of the head of the consular post. Ecuador said that its officials had not consented to ICE entering the consulate.
A video shared by Ecuadorian media showed a consular official telling the ICE agent, this is the consulate, you're not allowed in here. The agent allegedly responded, if you touch me, I will grab you. The consular official reiterated that it was a foreign government’s office before closing the door.
In its statement, Ecuador’s foreign ministry said it had immediately handed an official letter of protest to the US embassy in Quito. This incident marks a notable discord between Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and the Trump administration, particularly after the two leaders had recently agreed to enhance commercial relations. The actions of immigration agents in Minneapolis, especially the fatal shooting, have led to widespread protests and unrest in the area.
