Guyana Anti Corruption Network

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Guyana Anti-Corruption Network (GACN)**

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## SURVIVOR CONTRADICTS MINISTER: MV BARIMA WAS OVERLOADED

The Guyana Anti-Corruption Network (GACN) has obtained a firsthand account from **Donald Modeste**, a survivor of the MV Barima disaster, which directly contradicts the official narrative presented by Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill.

In an in-depth interview with **Kiskadee Watch**, Mr. Modeste stated unequivocally that **the vessel was overloaded** when it sank off the Essequibo coast on July 18, 2026.

This testimony raises urgent new questions about the circumstances of the tragedy and the accuracy of information provided to the public.

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## KEY CONTRADICTIONS

### Minister Edghill’s Statement
– The vessel was operating within its licensed capacity of 284 tonnes of cargo and 397 passengers
– A “big wave” caused the capsizing
– No mechanical failure
– The manifest showed 116 passengers and 17 crew (133 total)

### Donald Modeste’s Testimony
– **The vessel was overloaded**
– Contradicts the Minister’s claims about cargo and passenger limits
– Raises serious questions about the accuracy of the manifest and loading procedures

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## GACN DEMANDS

In light of this direct contradiction, the GACN demands:

1. **Immediate release of the complete, unredacted manifest** for the ill-fated voyage
2. **Public disclosure of the vessel’s certified cargo and passenger capacities** as per manufacturer specifications
3. **An explanation** for why the Minister’s version of events differs from a survivor’s firsthand account
4. **Independent verification** of the vessel’s load on the night of the disaster
5. **Criminal investigation** into potential negligence related to overloading

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## OUR POSITION

The GACN has long documented a pattern of procurement breaches, deferred maintenance, and governance failures surrounding the MV Barima. This new testimony from a survivor—a man who lived through the disaster—cannot be dismissed or ignored.

**The people of Guyana deserve the truth.**

If the vessel was overloaded, this is not merely a tragedy—it is a crime. It means that warnings were ignored, regulations were violated, and lives were sacrificed for expediency.

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## CALL TO ACTION

We call on:
– **The Government of Guyana** to release all relevant documents and cooperate fully with independent investigators
– **The media** to pursue this story aggressively and demand answers
– **The public** to remain vigilant and demand accountability

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*End of Release*