The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently addressing the case of “Embassy of Mexico in Quito (Mexico v. Ecuador),” following proceedings initiated by Mexico against Ecuador on April 11, 2024. This case has seen rapid developments, primarily concerning Mexico’s request for provisional measures against Ecuador.
Recent updates from the ICJ detail the procedural steps and decisions made in this international legal battle. On July 19, 2024, the ICJ issued an order fixing the time limits for Mexico to submit its Memorial and for Ecuador to submit its Counter-Memorial. This order signifies the progression of the case into its substantive phase, where both nations will present detailed arguments.
Prior to this, on May 23, 2024, the Court addressed Mexico’s request for the indication of provisional measures. In an order delivered on this date, the ICJ concluded that the circumstances did not warrant the exercise of its power to indicate provisional measures. This decision followed public hearings held on April 30 and May 1, 2024, where both parties presented their arguments regarding the necessity of such measures.
Several declarations from judges were appended to the May 23rd order, including those from Judges Bhandari, Nolte, Gómez Robledo, Cleveland, and Aurescu. These declarations offer individual perspectives and reasoning related to the Court’s decision on provisional measures.
The proceedings began formally on April 11, 2024, when Mexico instituted proceedings against Ecuador and simultaneously requested the indication of provisional measures. The initial request and application documents, along with subsequent press releases, detail the timeline and the urgency with which Mexico approached the ICJ.
The ICJ’s website provides comprehensive documentation of this case, including press releases announcing hearings, orders, and summaries of the court’s decisions. These official documents are available in both English and French, offering a transparent view into the ongoing legal process between Mexico and Ecuador. The case continues to unfold at the ICJ, with the fixed time limits for memorials and counter-memorials setting the stage for the next phase of this international legal dispute.