Ecuador consulate in Minneapolis blocks ICE agents attempting entry

Staff at Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis prevented U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering, the Foreign Ministry said. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry sent a formal note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Quito.

Staff at Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis prevented U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering the building, the Foreign Ministry said. The ministry described the event as an attempted incursion and said staff acted to protect Ecuadorian nationals inside. The ministry also sent a formal note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Quito. Key details: - The ministry said the interaction happened at about 11 a.m. - Video and nearby eyewitnesses showed a consulate employee confronting masked agents and the agents leaving shortly afterward. - The Foreign Ministry described the incident as an "attempted incursion" and said staff protected Ecuadorian nationals inside the consulate. - Ecuador formally sent a note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Quito asking that such incidents not be repeated. Summary: Ecuador has lodged a diplomatic complaint after its consulate staff prevented ICE agents from entering and reported that consular personnel protected nationals inside. Undetermined at this time.