The government in Peru has asked that Ecuador withdraw their ambassador after a supermarket brawl took place on 21 April.

Ecuadorian ambassador Rodrigo Riofrio was caught by security cameras in an altercation with two Peruvian women in a Lima supermarket. It was reported that the incident was triggered when a woman and her daughter cut in front of Riofrio in the checkout line. Riofrio allegedly insulted the two women, at which point he was attacked by the daughter who reportedly “threw the first punch.”

Ecuador stated that fighting stylings by Riofrio were in self-defense, and therefore did not follow Peru’s request to withdraw the ambassador. 

Ecuador’s foreign office said in a statement:

The national government announces that Ecuador’s ambassador in Peru, Rodrigo Riofrio, has been removed from his post. This decision was taken following a request by ambassador Riofrio.

With this decision, Ecuador reiterates its willingness to continue working intensively toward the strengthening of the excellent bilateral relations.

This footage is a bit hard to make out, but we’re pretty sure that is Riofrio swatting the women with a magazine or newspaper.

[Source: Reuters]