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.

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.