Ecuador says ICE agent tried to enter Minneapolis consulate

Ecuador’s government filed a formal diplomatic protest after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent attempted to enter its consulate in Minneapolis and was blocked by consular staff, according to Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry said the incident occurred around 11:00 a.m., when an ICE agent tried to access the consular building. Staff denied entry, citing the inviolability of foreign diplomatic property, and activated emergency protocols to protect Ecuadorian nationals who were inside at the time.

The ministry said Ecuador’s foreign minister submitted a note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, requesting that similar actions not be repeated at any Ecuadorian consular office in the United States.

Video from the incident shows Ecuador’s consul in Minneapolis, Esteban Cadena Duarte, stepping into the doorway as an ICE agent appears to try to open the door. Cadena tells the agent, “This is the consulate of Ecuador. You are not allowed to enter.”

The agent warns the consul, “If you touch me I will grab you.” Cadena continues to block the entrance and reiterates that the agent cannot enter.

Cadena said the agents tried to enter while pursuing individuals who had gone into the building shortly before the exchange.

The incident comes as Minneapolis remains under strain from federal immigration enforcement operations that have resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.

On Monday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said some federal agents would begin leaving the city following a conversation with President Trump.

#AlertaPanas
ECUADOR RECLAMA INVIOLABILIDAD EN EE.UU. PERO EN CASA ROMPIÓ LA PUERTA la cancillería protestó por el intento de ingreso de un agente de ICE al consulado ecuatoriano en Minneapolis, activó protocolos y envió nota diplomática exigiendo respeto a la sede, mientras que… pic.twitter.com/vYzSsUR6Ok

— Only Panas (@onlypanasec) January 27, 2026