Jamaica working to repatriate national deported from US to Eswatini

Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kamina Johnson Smith, says support is being provided to the Jamaican man who was deported to Eswatini by the United States, while efforts continue to secure his return home.

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The Gleaner reported last week that Jamaica and Eswatini were in talks regarding the repatriation of Isaac Etoria, who, along with four other men, was deported to the southern African country in July.

At the time, U.S. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X that the five were all convicted criminals and described them as “individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.”

She said Etoria had been convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years’ confinement, convicted of robbery and sentenced to six years, and convicted of possession of a weapon and sentenced to six months.

The Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied claims that the country refused to accept Etoria.

Providing an update on Friday, Johnson Smith said Jamaica’s High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, accompanied by the Honorary Consul for Jamaica in Eswatini, paid a consular visit to Etoria on Thursday, August 21.

“The team found Mr. Etoria in good spirits,” she said.

“The Ministry was further advised that Mr. Etoria has received regular medical attention, and arrangements are being put in place for further connection with his family and to meet his needs,” she added.

Johnson Smith said the ministry continues its efforts toward Etoria’s early return to Jamaica and remains in contact with his family through its embassy in Washington, D.C.

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McLaughlin, in her post on X, said the five detainees flown to Eswatini were nationals of Jamaica, Laos, Cuba, Yemen, and Vietnam.

“This flight took individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,” she wrote. “These depraved monsters have been terrorizing American communities but thanks to @POTUS Trump @Sec_Noem they are off of American soil.”

She added that the prisoners were convicted of various crimes, including child rape, murder, and robbery.

Eswatini government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli told CNN last month that the nation would now collaborate with the U.S. and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) “to facilitate the transit of these inmates to their countries of origin.”

However, she said, “There are no timelines at present” for their repatriation.