In a shocking turn of events, Ecuador has sparked outrage by storming the Mexican embassy in Quito to apprehend former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who had sought asylum there. The late-night arrest has swiftly prompted Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to suspend diplomatic ties with Quito, denouncing the act as a "flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of Mexico."

The breach of diplomatic convention has sent shockwaves across the region, with leaders from different spectrums of Latin American politics condemning the incident. Under established diplomatic norms, embassies are considered protected spaces. This incident marks the culmination of a series of diplomatic tensions between Mexico and Ecuador throughout the week.

Following his arrest, Glas was transferred to the maximum-security prison La Roca in Guayaquil, as confirmed by Ecuadorian authorities. The former vice president served under leftist ex-President Rafael Correa from 2013 to 2017. Recently, he faced accusations of embezzling government funds intended for earthquake recovery efforts in 2016.

In a show of solidarity with Mexico, numerous Latin American nations including Brazil and Argentina have rallied to condemn Ecuador's actions. Many have raised concerns over a potential violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, an international treaty that outlines the framework for relations between countries. Others have pointed out the breach of Glas's right to asylum.

Nicaragua has joined Mexico in severing diplomatic ties with Ecuador, while Argentina's right-wing government has called for the "full observance" of the international instrument and obligations outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Left-wing Colombian President Gustavo Petro has condemned the "barbaric violation" of Glas's right to asylum, and Honduran President Xiomara Castro considers the embassy assault "intolerable" for the international community.

Even the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his alarm over the raid. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, reiterated the importance of the inviolability of diplomatic premises and personnel.

Jorge Glas, 54, was arrested late Friday night after seeking refuge in the Mexican embassy. He claims to be a victim of political persecution. Video footage from the scene depicted a significant police presence, some of whom were armed.

In response to the mounting criticism, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld defended the raid during a news conference. Sommerfeld argued that the action was taken due to a perceived risk of Glas's imminent escape. She further accused Mexico of violating the principle of non-intervention by allowing Glas to remain in the embassy and evade a corruption probe.

Sommerfeld dismissed Mexico's assertion that Glas was a victim of political persecution, stating that no individual can be considered politically persecuted when they have been convicted with an enforceable sentence and an arrest warrant issued by judicial authorities.

The fallout from this dramatic incident continues to unfold, generating a deepening divide between Mexico and Ecuador, and casting a shadow over diplomatic relations within the region. The international community awaits further developments and the potential ramifications for the principles of diplomatic protection and asylum.