The South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has announced the successful repatriation of a Mexican national who had been deported to the country from the United States.
Jesus Munoz Gutiérrez who described his deportation to Juba as kidnapping was sent back to Mexico on Saturday in the company of his country’s Ambassador-desigate to South Sudan, following a process that officials say adhered to all international laws and diplomatic protocols.
Gutiérrez, a third-country national, had been in South Sudan since July 5, after being deported by the U.S against his will. This is the first of several planned repatriations for individuals similarly deported.
In a press statement to the media upon departure at Juba Airport the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the repatriation was the result of a joint effort between the governments of South Sudan and Mexico, adding the Mexican Embassy in Addis Ababa played a key role in the process.
A crucial bilateral meeting took place Saturday morning between South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Monday Semaya Kumba, and Mexico’s Ambassador-Designate to South Sudan, Alejandro Ives Estivill Castro.
Ambassador Castro, who arrived in Juba on Friday andpresented his nomination letter and discussed matters of mutual interest with Minister Kumba.
Later that afternoon, Gutiérrez was formally handed over to Ambassador Castro’s custody, finalizing the repatriation agreement.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Gutiérrez was treated with “full respect for his human dignity and fundamental rights” during his temporary stay in the country.
In a move to ensure his safety, the South Sudanese government requested, that Mexico provided, a formal guarantee that Gutiérrez would not face “torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, or undue prosecution” upon his return.
This assurance was a crucial component of the repatriation process, reflecting both countries’ commitment to upholding human rights.
Moving forward South Sudan’s government has affirmed its dedication to working with its international partners to ensure the safe and humane treatment of the six other third-country nationals who were also deported to the country.
