• notes questions surrounding MV Barima tragedy will be answered as nation mourns

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has assured the nation that answers will come and accountability will follow the MV Barima tragedy, declaring that “truth must emerge” and “justice must prevail” once the country moves beyond the immediate period of mourning and recovery.

Addressing a national prayer and remembrance service at Charity, Region Two, for the victims of the maritime disaster, President Ali said the focus at this stage must remain on comforting grieving families and supporting survivors, but stressed that the circumstances surrounding the tragedy will eventually have to be examined.

“There will come a time for questions, for truth to rise, for justice to speak… Today we mourn. Today we comfort. Today we stand beside the broken and say with our every breath, ‘You are not alone,’” the President said.

His remarks came as families continue to grapple with the loss of loved ones following the tragedy, which has triggered a massive search, rescue and recovery operation involving Guyana’s security services, medical personnel, volunteers, private sector partners and regional allies.
President Ali said the nation has suffered a profound loss, describing the incident as “not an easy day in this nation’s history.”

“I have listened to every single story from almost every single family who have [sic] lost someone, or who have lost many family members. I’ve listened to almost every survivor,” he said.
The President said those affected were ordinary Guyanese who were travelling to provide for their families when tragedy struck.
“These are simple people, living simple lives. Simple families living simple lives. Many of whom are on that boat to ensure they provide for their families,” he said.
While acknowledging the grief and pain being experienced across the country, President Ali praised the efforts of those involved in the recovery mission, particularly the men and women who have been working to recover victims with dignity and compassion.
He recalled witnessing first hand the recovery of bodies from the wreckage, saying responders treated every victim with the utmost care.
“From the time the first body was recovered, no one asked who it was. No one asked who they were related to,” he said.
“I saw them lift gently, calling on each other to be careful, to be gentle, and with great dignity from all of those bodies through this process.”
The President also thanked members of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Coast Guard, medical teams, volunteers, fisherfolk, private aircraft operators and regional partners who have assisted in the ongoing operation.
He specifically recognised support from French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and other Caribbean partners, saying their assistance demonstrated that Guyana does not stand alone during moments of crisis.
As the nation continues to mourn, Dr Ali urged survivors and affected families to seek emotional and psychological support, noting the trauma caused by the tragedy.
“I ask every single person who is involved in this process not to shy away from mental therapy. This was very difficult,” he said.
He assured families that the government would continue to provide support and remain committed to doing everything necessary.
“As your President, I assure you that I will continue to ensure everything that is necessary is done,” President Ali said.
Against this backdrop, President Ali urged Guyanese to remain united in the face of the tragedy, saying that while the country had been deeply wounded, the loss must not break the nation.
“This wound is deep and terrible. It has shaken us to the core, but it shall not break us,” he said.
“To every family carrying an unbearable loss… your grief is our nation’s grief. Your tears are our nation’s tears.”
The President said that while grief dominates the present moment, Guyana must eventually confront the questions surrounding the tragedy.
“Truth will rise, justice will speak,” he said, as the country continues its recovery efforts and awaits further developments.