The Venezuela’s Government expressed this Tuesday deep solidarity and humanitarian support to Guyana following the tragic MV Barima shipwreck on July 18, which left 41 people dead and 61 others missing.
The Venezuelan government expressed its deep solidarity with the neighboring nation through an official diplomatic statement issued on July 21 by the Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Relations and External Trade, following the tragic maritime accident in the Atlantic.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela conveyed its firm disposition of accompaniment to the Guyanese people, framing this cooperation offer within the humanistic framework of the Bolivarian Peace Diplomacy.
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“The Bolivarian Government is following the emergency situation closely and conveys its sincerest wish for success in the rescue efforts, which will allow the safe return of those who are still missing”, highlighted the Bolivarian Government through a statement released by the Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade.
The official state communiqué emphasized that Caracas is closely monitoring the emergency situation on the coast. Venezuelan authorities sent their most sincere wishes of success to the rescue brigades, hoping for the safe return of the citizens who still remain missing in the sea.
Currently, emergency crews continue intense operations in the North Atlantic. Local and French military divers are conducting underwater missions at the exact sinking site, where they recovered 14 lifeless bodies in the last 24 hours, bringing the confirmed death toll to 41 victims.
Text reads: “Communiqué: The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expresses its deep solidarity with the people of Guyana in the wake of the tragic shipwreck of the MV Barima, which occurred on July 18. The Bolivarian Government is closely following the emergency situation and expresses its sincere wish for success in the rescue efforts for the safe return of the disappeared. We reiterate our firm support under the humanist vocation of the Bolivarian Peace Diplomacy.”
Overcrowding Triggers Investigation
Meanwhile, local rescue bodies successfully saved 77 survivors. However, rescue coordinators had to expand the active search and rescue operations to 400 square miles to locate the remaining 61 missing passengers who were traveling on the ill-fated ferry.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips announced that at least 177 people were traveling on the ship when it sank. This figure significantly exceeds the initial official report of 133 passengers, confirming a serious registry discrepancy that points to negligence.
This excess of passengers has reignited severe public denunciations regarding maritime overcrowding and the systematic violation of safety protocols on the commercial route toward Port Kaituma. A preliminary police investigation indicates that a giant wave destabilized the cargo vessel, causing the fatal accident.
The ongoing judicial probe aims to clarify why the MV Barima, which carried a heavy load of cargo and passengers, was allowed to sail under hazardous weather conditions. The public continues to demand accountability from maritime regulatory bodies.
President Irfaan Ali decreed three days of national mourning from Wednesday, July 22, to Friday, July 24. The national flag, known as The Golden Arrowhead, will fly at half-mast on all public buildings and state facilities during this solemn period of grief.
The official schedule designates Wednesday as a National Day of Prayer, featuring a central ecumenical ceremony on the Kingston seawall in Georgetown. Additional candlelit vigils and community reflections will take place on Thursday and Friday in Port Kaituma and Mabaruma to support the affected families. Furthermore, the administration urged all civic and religious groups to organize localized moments of prayer during these three days of mourning.
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