Belize Offers Help to “Brothers and Sisters in Guyana”

Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca, reaffirmed the country’s support for the ongoing search and recovery effort in Guyana following the fatal sinking of the MV Barima.

Fonseca said during this morning’s episode of Open Your Eyes that Belize has reached out to Guyanese officials to offer assistance. “We’ve reached out… and expressed our solidarity and asked them how we can provide any meaningful material support in any way,” he said.

The ferry capsized on Saturday while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Guyanese authorities now say it was carrying 179 people, far more than originally believed after 32 rescued survivor passengers were found not to be listed on the vessel’s manifest.

As of Monday, at least 27 bodies have been recovered and 69 people rescued, while 83 remain missing as search operations continue. Guyanese Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill called it the country’s worst marine disaster in decades.

Guyanese police have taken the ferry’s captain and at least one other crew member into custody after both tested positive for marijuana. A police investigation has been launched into a possible case of crew negligence, including allowing the ferry to become overcrowded.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali visited survivors and their families in hospital and described it as a “deeply emotional experience”.

“President Ali is a good friend of Belize,” Fonseca added. “So we’re praying for our brothers and sisters in Guyana.”

The outreach to Guyana comes just weeks after Belize joined fellow CARICOM states in providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela following the twin earthquakes.