Ecuador protests after ICE agent attempts to enter consulate in Minneapolis

Ecuador's government said an agent of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement service attempted to enter its consulate in Minneapolis on Tuesday morning, prompting officials to file a formal complaint with American authorities.

According to Ecuador's Foreign Ministry, the incident occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time. Consulate staff prevented the ICE officer from entering the building and activated emergency protocols established by the ministry, the statement said.

"The officials of the Consulate prevented the entry of the ICE officer to the consular headquarters" and ensured "the protection of Ecuadorians who were at that moment in the consular headquarters," the ministry said in a brief statement.

Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld immediately submitted a formal protest note to the U.S. Embassy in Quito following the incident, according to the ministry. The note was intended to prevent similar actions at other Ecuadorian consular facilities in the United States.

The ministry did not provide additional details about the attempted entry. U.S. authorities, including the ICE and the White House, had not publicly commented on the incident as of Tuesday evening.