Mexico says Ecuador embassy raid due to President's inexperience

Mexico's President criticizes Ecuador's embassy raid, leading to diplomatic tensions and international condemnation, prompting Mexico to break off relations.

Mexico's President said Monday that the Ecuadoran government's raid on his country's embassy in Quito was likely due to inexperience, bad advice and a desire for domestic political support.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called Friday's operation a "truly authoritarian" action by his Ecuadoran counterpart Daniel Noboa, 36, who took office in November.

"When there are weak governments that do not have popular support or capacity... those who do not have experience come" to power, Mr. Lopez Obrador said at his regular morning news conference.

But "politics is a noble profession," and when you lack experience or popular support, "you must act with prudence, balancing passion and reason," he added.

Ecuador sent its security forces into the embassy to arrest Jorge Glas, a former Vice President wanted for corruption who was sheltering inside, triggering a wave of international criticism.

Mexico quickly broke off diplomatic relations with the South American nation.

Mr. Noboa said Monday that he was willing to "resolve any difference" with Mexico, but defended the embassy raid as necessary to detain Mr. Glas because he posed a flight risk.