Ecuador Roundup: Embassy raid, arrest of former president, bus accident
Embassy raid
A group of five countries including Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia, expressed solidarity with Mexico after Ecuador's police raid on its embassy in Quito. CGTN indicated that the group expressed concern over the violence and the violation of diplomatic principles. Ecuador defended its actions and Mexico severed ties with Ecuador as a result.
Bus accident
4 people died and 16 were injured in a bus overturning on a highway in southern Ecuador. The bus was carrying a delegation of the Sports Federation of Loja, including child taekwondo athletes, to a competition. The bus driver is in police custody and investigations are ongoing, reports media agency UNI.
Jorge Glas in jail
Former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas was arrested last week during a raid on Mexico's Quito embassy. According to news agency Saltwire, a tribunal ruled that Glas must remain in jail due to previous convictions. Former President Rafael Correa claimed Glas had attempted suicide and was on hunger strike to protest his imprisonment.
School Feeding
The World Food Program (WFP) is working with the Government of Ecuador to provide nutritious meals to children in rural areas. Many students arrive at school hungry, and the program aims to address high levels of malnutrition and poverty. Mirage News explained that by purchasing fresh foods from local farmers, the program not only provides healthy meals for the children but also supports local farmers. The initiative has already shown significant improvements in the health and academic performance of the children. The goal is to increase meal provision to 30,000 children across Ecuador's 17 provinces.
Court declares Jorge Glas' arrest illegal
Ecuador court has declared the arrest of former vice-president Jorge Glas inside the Mexican embassy illegal. President Daniel Noboa ordered his arrest, triggering diplomatic conflict with Mexico. The court has denied a request to return Glas to the embassy, he remains in maximum security prison, reports news agency El Pais. Prosecutors seek to involve him in a new legal process over the alleged misuse of public funds for earthquake reconstruction.
