Ecuador\u2019s 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\u2019s Foreign Ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ministry said Ecuador\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Video from the incident shows Ecuador\u2019s 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, \u201cThis is the consulate of Ecuador. You are not allowed to enter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The agent warns the consul, \u201cIf you touch me I will grab you.\u201d Cadena continues to block the entrance and reiterates that the agent cannot enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cadena said the agents tried to enter while pursuing individuals who had gone into the building shortly before the exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The incident comes as Minneapolis remains under strain from federal immigration enforcement operations that have resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Monday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said some federal agents would begin leaving the city following a conversation with President Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #AlertaPanas<\/a>
ECUADOR RECLAMA INVIOLABILIDAD EN EE.UU. PERO EN CASA ROMPI\u00d3 LA PUERTA la canciller\u00eda protest\u00f3 por el intento de ingreso de un agente de ICE al consulado ecuatoriano en Minneapolis, activ\u00f3 protocolos y envi\u00f3 nota diplom\u00e1tica exigiendo respeto a la sede, mientras que\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vYzSsUR6Ok<\/a><\/p>— Only Panas (@onlypanasec) January 27, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>