A Mexican deported by U.S. authorities who was sent to South Sudan returned to Mexico on Saturday, according to South Sudanese officials.

Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, spokeswoman for the South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the departure “without incident and “ordered” detention of Jesus Munoz Gutierrez during a press conference at Juba International Airport on Saturday.

Munoz was released into the custody of Mexico’s ambassador-designate to South Sudan, Alejandro Estivill, according to Mayen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Mexico accepted the return of Jesus Munoz Gutierrez, who was deported on July 5, after a lengthy legal battle.

South Sudan thanked Mexico for its cooperation and said it had received assurances that Munoz Gutierrez would not be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or undue prosecution upon his return.

At the airport, Munoz Gutierrez told reporters that the United States had “kidnapped” him.

“I was supposed to be deported back to Mexico, but they never completed the process… They made a mistake and sent me to South Sudan,” he said, adding that he “never thought” he would end up in Juba.

Munoz said he had been treated with full respect for his human dignity and fundamental rights during his temporary stay in the capital, Juba.

Only one of the eight men deported to South Sudan from the United States was originally from that country, and he was released.

South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remained committed to “working with our international partners, especially the governments of the remaining six deported third-country nationals, to ensure their repatriation to their countries of origin.”

No information was provided on the remaining six foreigners, although the government confirmed their arrival in July and said they were in custody.

South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world and is in the midst of renewed violent political instability.