STATEMENT ON THE ERRONEOUS REPORT OF RESCUED GUYANESE OFF THE COAST OF BRAZIL

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 22, 2018

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has noted reports in several media outlets which indicate that Guyanese nationals were among the group of immigrants rescued on a boat off the coast of Brazil on May 20, 2018. On this matter, the Embassy of Guyana in Brasilia has checked with the Federal Police in the state Maranhão where the persons were brought ashore, and was advised that no Guyanese were picked up among the lot. The nationals on board were reported to be from the countries of Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Cape Verde.

Major media outlets in Brazil corroborate this understanding.