Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena speaks to the media regarding the return of Mexican embassy staff from Ecuador, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico on April 7, 2024. Mexican embassy staff departed Sunday after Mexico broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador following Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted of corruption.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy staff and their families were returning to Mexico in a post on X, formerly Twitter. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)

QUITO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Mexican embassy staff departed Sunday after Mexico broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador following Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted of corruption.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy staff and their families were returning to Mexico in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Friendly countries and allies supported Mexico in ensuring the safety of Mexican citizens by accompanying them on the journey to the airport in the Ecuadorian capital, the ministry said.

The Mexican embassy in Ecuador "will remain closed indefinitely, as will consular services," it said.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador deemed the police raid on the Mexican embassy a violation of Mexico's sovereignty and international law and severed diplomatic relations with Ecuador.

He also instructed Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena to coordinate the return of diplomatic personnel accredited in Ecuador, along with their families, after the "violent attack" on the Mexican embassy. ■

Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena speaks to the media regarding the return of Mexican embassy staff from Ecuador, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico on April 7, 2024. Mexican embassy staff departed Sunday after Mexico broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador following Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted of corruption.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy staff and their families were returning to Mexico in a post on X, formerly Twitter. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)

Mexican Ambassador to Ecuador Raquel Serur (L, front) speaks to the media regarding the return of Mexican embassy staff from Ecuador, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico on April 7, 2024. Mexican embassy staff departed Sunday after Mexico broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador following Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted of corruption.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy staff and their families were returning to Mexico in a post on X, formerly Twitter. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)

Mexican Ambassador to Ecuador Raquel Serur speaks to the media regarding the return of Mexican embassy staff from Ecuador, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico on April 7, 2024. Mexican embassy staff departed Sunday after Mexico broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador following Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted of corruption.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy staff and their families were returning to Mexico in a post on X, formerly Twitter. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)

Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena (C) speaks to the media regarding the return of Mexican embassy staff from Ecuador, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico on April 7, 2024. Mexican embassy staff departed Sunday after Mexico broke diplomatic relations with Ecuador following Ecuadorian police stormed the Mexican embassy to arrest former Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been convicted of corruption.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry confirmed embassy staff and their families were returning to Mexico in a post on X, formerly Twitter. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua)

Ecuadorian police stand guard near the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, April 7, 2024. Mexico suspended its diplomatic relations with Ecuador after Ecuadorian police broke into the Mexican embassy in Quito and arrested former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been taking refuge in the embassy since last December. (Xinhua/Liao Siwei)

Ecuadorian police stand guard near the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, April 7, 2024. Mexico suspended its diplomatic relations with Ecuador after Ecuadorian police broke into the Mexican embassy in Quito and arrested former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been taking refuge in the embassy since last December. (Xinhua/Liao Siwei)

Supporters of former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas protest outside the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, April 6, 2024. Mexico suspended its diplomatic relations with Ecuador after Ecuadorian police broke into the Mexican embassy in Quito and arrested former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas, who has been taking refuge in the embassy since last December. (Xinhua/Liao Siwei)