Ecuador’s Foreign Affairs Ministry recently stated it submitted a “letter of protest” to the U.S. after an officer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allegedly tried to access the Ecuadorian consulate in Minnesota this week.
According to the ministry, “Consular officials quickly stopped ICE officers from entering the consulate headquarters, ensuring the protection of Ecuadorian nationals present at that time, and initiated emergency protocols as instructed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.” This incident, described as an “attempted infiltration,” occurred in Minneapolis.
The ministry also mentioned that the Prime Minister promptly handed over the protest letter to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador to prevent such incidents from happening again at the consulate in the U.S.
As of Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and the State Department had not provided comments to Fox News Digital concerning the situation.
A witness recounted, “I saw the police chasing two people on the street. Then they went into the consulate, and the police followed them, attempting to enter.”
Video footage from the event showed an individual inside the consulate running to the door, asserting, “This is the Ecuadorian consulate. You are not allowed to enter.” Another voice could be heard cautioning, “Don’t worry, I’m not in… If you touch me, I’ll grab you,” before the door was closed.
New York Congressman Gregory Meeks expressed his outrage, stating, “The attempted invasion of the Ecuadorian consulate by ICE agents showcases an alarming disregard for the rule of law by the Department of Homeland Security.” He emphasized that diplomatic facilities are safeguarded for crucial reasons and highlighted the significance of respecting other countries’ diplomatic premises, warning that unauthorized entries could pose risks for U.S. diplomats and military personnel worldwide.
