During the interview, Gutierrez highlighted the personal and professional integrity of someone who had been a close friend for over 45 years.
"Joselo, as we all knew him, was a dear friend. I had the great honor of serving as Deputy Foreign Minister when he was Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic," the CAN secretary-general told RPP.
Likewise, Gutierrez emphasized that Garcia Belaunde served as Foreign Affairs Minister for an entire government term (2006-2011) —a rare occurrence in Peru's recent diplomatic history.
"He implemented a very proactive, very constructive foreign policy," the CAN high-ranking official noted.
Among the most notable milestones of his tenure, Gutierrez recalled that under Garcia Belaunde's leadership, Peru hosted and chaired the APEC forum for the first time (2008), with leaders from major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia in attendance.
"For the first time, we hosted the presidents of all the major powers in Peru (...), in one of the most remarkable APEC summits," he explained.
The diplomat also highlighted Garcia Belaunde's human qualities.
"Everything seemed easy for him, with a charm and incomparable warmth (...) We would often worry about many things, and he always brought us a sense of calm. I have lost a brother," he said, visibly moved.
Gutierrez recounted a key episode that reflects his colleague's greatness: his unjust dismissal from the diplomatic service during Alberto Fujimori's regime (1990-2000), along with 106 other officials, and his later return as Foreign Affairs Minister.
In that role, Garcia Belaunde even welcomed individuals who had been on the other side of that division.
"He rose above any personal grievance (...) what mattered was fostering solidarity and strengthening the diplomatic service," Gutierrez stated.
Finally, the CAN secretary-general recalled Garcia Belaunde's innovative role in implementing binational cabinets —a practice that began with Ecuador and is now common across the region.
"With that attitude, he helped consolidate a climate in which we all took part in advancing a foreign policy driven by initiatives and ideas," Gutierrez concluded.
Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde was a career diplomat whose impeccable trajectory left an indelible mark on Peru’s foreign policy.
With a deep sense of public service and a firm commitment to national interests, he played a key role throughout his career in strengthening Peru's international relations.
Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde served as Minister of Foreign Affairs throughout Alan Garcia's second presidential term (2006–2011), during which he led the institution responsible for managing Peru's relations with neighboring countries and the wider world.
From 2011 to 2014, Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde acted as Peru's co-agent before the International Court of Justice at The Hague in the maritime delimitation case between Peru and Chile.
Likewise, he promoted negotiations for Peru's integration into the Pacific Alliance, as well as various trade agreements and the conclusion of talks for the Trade Agreement with the European Union.
The approval by the U.S. Congress of the United States–Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (FTA) was also achieved, and he promoted the agreement within the framework of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
He also served as Director General and Adviser to the Andean Community, as well as Director of the Secretariat of the Cartagena Agreement Board.