Switzerland will now represent Ecuador’s interests in Venezuela after signing an agreement between Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Ecuador’s ambassador, Verónica Bustamante Ponce. The Swiss embassies will facilitate diplomatic communication amid strained relations between Ecuador and Venezuela, following a severance of ties after the recent presidential elections.
Switzerland has assumed a mandate to protect Ecuador’s interests in Venezuela at the request of the Ecuadorian government. A formal agreement was signed between Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and Ecuador’s ambassador to Switzerland, Verónica Bustamante Ponce. The Swiss embassies in Quito and Caracas will function as the diplomatic channels for this representation, with consular activities coordinated through a specially designated section located within the Ecuadorian embassy premises in Caracas.
The development occurs against a backdrop of severed diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Venezuela following the Venezuelan presidential elections in July 2023. This deterioration in relations had been escalating prior to the elections. Switzerland’s role as a protective power is consistent with its long-standing tradition of providing diplomatic services to nations in conflict or without direct diplomatic relations. Currently, Switzerland operates similar mandates for several other countries.
In conclusion, Switzerland’s acceptance of a protective power mandate for Ecuador in Venezuela not only highlights its role as a diplomatic facilitator but also underscores the ongoing tensions between Quito and Caracas. As diplomatic relations remain strained, Switzerland’s intervention may provide a necessary conduit for communication and protection of Ecuadorian interests in the region. This move illustrates Switzerland’s commitment to international diplomacy and its established tradition of good offices in global conflicts.
Original Source: www.swissinfo.ch
