The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a formal protest against the Israeli government's detention of vessels belonging to the "Sumud Global Fleet" mission in international waters, describing the action as a violation of the freedom of navigation.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized the move as a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law in an official statement. "Mexico expresses its deep and firm protest against the detention of the fleet. This action is a violation of the basic principles of international law and is intolerable under any circumstances," the statement read.
Reports indicate that a Mexican woman on board one of the detained ships was released with the assistance of diplomats from the Greek and Turkish governments. The ministry is currently maintaining contact with seven other Mexican citizens who remain on other vessels. In late April, the Israeli Navy intercepted dozens of ships belonging to the "Sumud Global Fleet" in international waters. The civilian-led initiative, which consisted of more than 100 vessels, was organized to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Dozens of international activists were reportedly detained during the incident.
The "Sumud Global Fleet" is part of a broader history of international maritime efforts aimed at delivering medical supplies, food, and construction materials to Gaza. These missions often lead to diplomatic tensions, as Israel maintains a naval blockade on the territory, citing security concerns. Such incidents frequently draw scrutiny from international human rights organizations and necessitate complex diplomatic negotiations involving multiple nations to ensure the safety and release of participating foreign nationals.
