VENEZUELAN BOAT EN ROUTE TO GUYANA MISSING WITH PASSENGERS ONE FOUND DEAD

The Body of Orvin Persaud, a 25-Years-old dual Citizen of Guyana and Venezuela was found floating in the Tucupita River, Venezuela, Two Days after he departed for Guyana. Venezuelan Police have reportedly found Persaud’s Body while in search of a Boat en-route to Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, Guyana which has since disappeared.

Persaud had reportedly boarded the Boat described as a small Wooden ‘Ballahoo’ with at least Six other Passengers from a Port in Barrancas, Venezuela. He was expected to arrive in Guyana the following Day, but the Boat never reached it’s Destination.

Persaud’s Relatives, who were anticipating his arrival in Guyana, became worried and raised an Alarm. The Man was reported missing and his Family posted his Photograph across the various Social Media Platforms.

It was after seeing the missing Person Post, that Persons in Venezuela began suspecting that the Boat might have encountered some difficulties on it’s way to Guyana.
Relatives of Two more Passengers reportedly, have also reported them missing.

Authorities in Venezuela are also yet to provide information on what transpired, causing Persaud’s death, and also about the disappearance of the Boat with the other Passengers and Captain. It is however being suggested that the Boat may have capsized in the Orinoco River.

Venezuelan Authorities have since launched an Investigation to confirm about the proximate cause of Persaud’s death, and also about the disappearance of the Boat with the othee Passengers and Captain, they are also on the ” look out ” for possible Survivors, and the missing Boat.

However, Persaud’s Relatives believe that even if there were any Survivors, it would be difficult to find them because travelling through the Orinoco River to Guyana, is an illegal and dangerous Route. Persons who traverse the ‘back track’ Route usually hide from Lawmen.

Meanwhile on Tuesday,February 28th,2023, President of the Representantes de la Comunidad Guyanesa en Venezuela (RCVG – an Organisation based in Venezuela that represents Guyanese living there in the Country), Director Mr. Hamraj Antonio speaking to the Guyanese Media stated that the illegal Route is unsafe, and apart from Boat Mishaps, and the Dangers that the River and the Sea poses, Antonio explained further that “many have suffered (traveling through the illegal Route), being detained, mistreated and unfairly extorted by some Police Forces in the National Territory.

He called on the Government of Guyana to clamp down on the use of the Route for those desirous of entering Guyana. Further, Antonio called on the relevant Authorities of Guyana to establish a Flight Route from Puerto Ordaz, a City in Venezuela, to the Euguene Correria International Airport in Guyana, so that Venezuelans and Guyanese returning home, can legally and safely enter the Country.

Travelling through the Orinoco River to get to Guyana is One of the “most dangerous back track Routes” that Venezuelans use to enter Trinidad and Guyana.

It continues to be a Route used for smuggling Contraband in and out of Venezuela. However, the recent Economic Crisis brought the neighbouring Country to it’s Knees, and this resulted in an increase in the smuggling of Venezuelan Refugees through the dangerous Waters.