After spending 77 days in South Africa under a legal process that kept family, colleagues and followers in suspense, Julio Ibáñez, a TUDN journalist, reappeared publicly after regaining his freedom with cameraman Danny García.

Through a video apparently recorded from a South African airport, both journalists shared their first impressions after the judicial procedure that kept them detained for more than two months concluded.

With evident emotion, the reporter known as “El Profe” published a message that quickly generated reactions on social networks.

"The nightmare is over, goodbye South Africa, thank you families, friends and our home TelevisaUnivisión, TUDN México, TUDN USA. Daniel García and I are ready. World Cup, here we go!"

Julio Ibáñez appreciates the support received during his process in South Africa

In the video, Julio Ibáñez appeared accompanied by Danny García and dedicated a large part of his message to thanking the people who participated in his defense and support during the most complicated weeks of the case.

“A World Cup is coming that moves us and motivates us, thank you friends, thank you families, thanks to our Televisa Univisión home, thank you Daniel Alegre for traveling here, thank you Armando Martínez for also being with us in this territory, thank you Emanuel Escandón because you also made the trip here, thanks to the South African lawyers.

"Today we were an army in court, believe me, we were a real army of prepared people, of people interested in seeing all this end, thanks to all of you who I know have a million questions that we will soon answer."

The journalist made it clear that, for now, the word that best sums up the moment he is going through is gratitude.

“Thank you is the only word that perhaps today, at this moment, comes to mind because there are many people who are behind all this, I understand that it was a very big silence, I understand that there were colleagues who wanted to talk and say a million things and that they had to contain themselves to take care of us.”

Danny García also sent a message after regaining his freedom

For his part, Danny García took advantage of the video to thank his partner for his support and express his relief at the favorable outcome of the case.

“Thank you also for being my partner and not abandoning me, but hey, thank you to life and to God for still having us here and moving forward.”

Subsequently, Julio Ibáñez once again highlighted the support they received throughout the entire process and announced that in the coming days they will share details and experiences of what happened during their stay in South Africa.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the closure of the judicial process and the return

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) reported that the South African authorities formally concluded the legal procedure related to the two Mexican citizens.

“Regarding the case of two Mexican people detained by South African authorities last March, it is reported that the judicial authorities of that country have concluded the corresponding legal process and the compatriots are scheduled to take a flight back to Mexico tonight.

The Mexican Embassy in South Africa will continue to accompany you until you leave the country. The Government of Mexico reiterates its firm commitment to the defense and protection of Mexicans abroad at all times.”

It should be remembered that Julio Ibáñez and Danny García remained under parole with travel restrictions in recent weeks, after having been arrested in mid-March in South African territory. With the closure of the judicial process, both will be able to return to Mexico and reunite with their families after more than two months of uncertainty.

TelevisaUnivision publishes when they will arrive in Mexico

Through an official publication, TelevisaUnivision Prensa confirmed that both collaborators will return to Mexican territory in the next few hours to reunite with their loved ones.

"Our colleagues will arrive in Mexico tomorrow to reunite with their families. We thank the Mexican authorities for their support in this unfortunate process, which has finally concluded."

The company also recognized the support provided by different entities during the development of the case.