Ecuador says ICE agent tried to break into the country’s consulate in Minneapolis

The government of Ecuador stated this Tuesday (27) that an agent from the United States Immigration and Customs Service (ICE) attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis without authorization, but was prevented by employees of the diplomatic representation. The episode led the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send a formal note of protest to the US Embassy in Quito, demanding guarantees that similar situations would not be repeated.

In an official statement, the foreign ministry classified the episode as an “attempted incursion” by ICE agents into the consulate and highlighted that the actions of local officials ensured the protection of Ecuadorian citizens who were in the building at the time of the approach. The government did not release additional details about the agent’s identity or any immediate diplomatic developments.

The case occurred amid the mass deportation operation conducted by President Donald Trump’s administration in Minnesota, which mobilized around three thousand heavily armed ICE and Border Patrol agents. The federal offensive, known as Operation Metro Surge, has been criticized by local authorities and sparked weeks of protests in Minneapolis and other American cities.

Witnesses who worked in establishments close to the consulate told Reuters that immigration agents were chasing two people on the street, who had entered the diplomatic building to take shelter. According to these reports, the agents tried to follow the individuals into the consulate, but were blocked. One of the witnesses, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, stated that the police did not enter the property.

Under international law, embassies and consulates are considered sovereign territory of the country they represent and enjoy diplomatic immunity, which prevents the unauthorized entry of agents from other States. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations states that host country authorities can only access these facilities with the explicit consent of the foreign mission.

Until the last update of this report, neither the United States Department of State nor the Department of Homeland Security — the body to which ICE is subordinate — had responded to the news agency’s requests for comment. The silence comes at a time of growing international and domestic pressure on the Trump administration’s conduct of immigration actions.

The escalation of federal operations in Minneapolis has already resulted in the deaths of two American citizens in clashes involving immigration agents, which has intensified the political strain on the White House. Local authorities accuse the federal government of acting disproportionately and worsening social tensions in vulnerable communities.

Faced with the worsening crisis, Trump’s so-called “border czar”, Tom Homan, met this Tuesday with the mayor of Minneapolis and the governor of Minnesota in an attempt to reduce tensions and reopen channels of dialogue. The Ecuadorian government, in turn, reinforced that it will follow the case closely and expects full respect for international standards that govern diplomatic relations.