President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo demanded the immediate release and repatriation of six Mexicans who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepted by Israel in international waters while heading toward the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid.
During her October 2 morning press conference, the President reported that the Mexican nationals Carlos Pérez Osorio, Ernesto Ledesma Arronte, Sol González Eguía, Arlín Gabriela Medrano Guzmán, and Laura Alejandra Veléz Ruiz Gaitán were taken to the Port of Ashdod, located 40 kilometers from Tel Aviv, after being detained by Israeli forces on October 1.
She regretted that, despite repeated requests, the Mexican consular team has so far been unable to obtain access to the detainees in order to provide them with assistance.
“The Mexicans have committed no crime and must be repatriated immediately,” Sheinbaum stressed, recalling that since the moment of interception, the Government has sent four diplomatic notes: the first to guarantee the physical integrity of the Mexican nationals, the second to request explanations for their detention, the third to reiterate the demand for their safety, and the fourth to formally demand their repatriation.
Sheinbaum emphasized that, while the ideal outcome would have been for the flotilla to reach Gaza with humanitarian aid, under the current circumstances the urgent priority is the safe return of the Mexicans.
Sheinbaum recalled that in January 2024 Mexico joined the case filed by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for alleged acts of genocide in Gaza. “President López Obrador was still in office when this complaint was filed, and we have continued to provide follow-up. It is part of our commitment to international justice,” she affirmed.
On March 19, her administration took an additional step in officially recognizing the State of Palestine, with the acceptance of the credentials of Ambassador Nadya R. H. Rasheed, consolidating Mexico’s position of support for Palestine and international law.
The detention of the flotilla takes place amid mounting international pressure on Israel. According to Israeli media reports, the operation was carried out to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, in the context of a military offensive that the UN and human rights organizations have described as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
The Mexican government insists that the detention of its citizens violates basic principles of international law, as it occurred in international waters, and it continues to communicate with Israeli authorities in an effort to secure a favorable resolution.
In the meantime, the six Mexicans remain in Ashdod under Israeli custody, awaiting the outcome of diplomatic negotiations.
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