Top UN court declines to indicate preliminary orders in Mexico-Ecuador case

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) declined Thursday to indicate preliminary orders in the Mexico-Ecuador case.

"The circumstances, as they now present themselves to the Court, are not such as to require the exercise of its power to indicate provisional measures," said the Court.

It emphasized the importance of principles enshrined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, noting the historical significance of diplomatic inviolability for international cooperation.

Mexico had sought provisional measures pending a final decision in the case, citing concerns about the inviolability of its diplomatic mission and the peaceful settlement of international disputes.

The Court reaffirmed the decision given in the present proceedings does not prejudge the question of the jurisdiction of the Court to deal with the merits of the case or any questions relating to the admissibility of the application or the merits themselves.

The invasion by Ecuadorian police into the Mexican Embassy on April 5 to arrest former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, to whom Mexico granted political asylum, unleashed a political crisis that escalated to the breaking of diplomatic relations.

Mexico filed a complaint before the ICJ on April 11 that demanded Ecuador be expelled from the UN, pending an apology.

In response, Ecuador sued Mexico at the ICJ for granting asylum to Glas, who is wanted by Ecuador in relation to several criminal proceedings and investigations.