CNN —A rift between Mexico and Ecuador is growing, with a series of diplomatic provocations this week that culminated in Ecuador rejecting Mexico’s ambassador to the country, and Mexico announcing that it would offer asylum to a wanted Ecuadorean politician. Mexican Ambassador Raquel Serur Smeke was declared “persona non grata” in Ecuador on Thursday after Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador appeared to criticize Ecuador’s recent elections. Ecuador’s 2023 run-off vote took place in a “very strange” manner, Lopez Obrador said, suggesting that presidential candidates used the media, candidate Fernando Villavicencio’s assassination, and overall violence in their favor while campaigning. In a statement posted on X, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry called Lopez Obrador’s comments “unfortunate” and said the country is still mourning Villavicencio’s assassination. It also reiterated its focus on ensuring “respect for the dignity and sovereignty of the Ecuadorian State” and “non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States.”President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is speaking at the morning conference in front of reporters at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, on April 3, 2024.

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Persons: Raquel Serur Smeke, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Ecuador’s, Lopez Obrador, Fernando Villavicencio’s, Lopez, Villavicencio’s, Solrac Santiago, Jorge David Glas Espinel, Gabriela Sommerfield, ” Glas, Rafael Correa, Glas Organizations: CNN, Ministry, Ecuadorian State, Mexican Foreign Ministry, Ecuador’s, Reuters Locations: Mexico, Ecuador, Mexican, Mexico City, Quito