Colombia protests Ecuador's unilateral deportation of prisoners

Bogot : Bogot lodged a protest with Ecuador on Friday for deporting a group of Colombian inmates without prior agreement, in what it called a violati...

Bogotá: Bogotá lodged a protest with Ecuador on Friday for deporting a group of Colombian inmates without prior agreement, in what it called a violation of international law and an "unfriendly gesture" by its neighbor.

In a statement, Colombia's foreign ministry said the Ecuadoran government had "unilaterally" initiated a "deportation process" for Colombian nationals, disregarding "respectful and repeated" requests to first establish a formal protocol.

"Colombia, using diplomatic channels, has expressed its strongest protest to the Government of Ecuador for this unfriendly gesture toward our country," the statement added.

The ministry did not specify how many prisoners were sent back to Colombia, but denounced that under such conditions, their dignified treatment and the "protection of their rights" could not be guaranteed.

Earlier this week, local media reported that Ecuador planned to expel around 800 Colombians.