Dear Editor,
The devastating capsizing of the MV Barima passenger ferry has brought profound sorrow to the people of Guyana and to families desperately awaiting news of their loved ones. With lives lost, passengers still unaccounted for and rescue and recovery operations continuing, this is not a time for politics or empty regional slogans. It is a time for action, compassion and solidarity.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Government deserves recognition for responding quickly and practically to Guyana’s request for assistance. Our Defence Force deployed an aircraft, a Coast Guard vessel and 27 personnel, including seven divers, to support the difficult search and recovery operations.
This was more than a ceremonial expression of sympathy. It represented trained personnel entering a dangerous environment, specialised divers assisting in challenging waters, aircraft supporting aerial searches and a Coast Guard vessel carrying resources directly to the affected area.
When tragedy strikes, condolences are important, but capabilities can save lives, recover the missing and help grieving families obtain some measure of closure.
For many years, Caribbean leaders have spoken about regional cooperation, shared responsibility and the bonds that unite our people. However, regional unity must be demonstrated when one country is facing a disaster that overwhelms its immediate resources.
Trinidad and Tobago’s response shows that CARICOM is not merely a collection of meetings, communiqués and official photographs. It can also become a practical network through which neighbouring countries support one another in moments of urgent need.
Guyana is more than a regional partner. Thousands of Trinidad and Tobago citizens have Guyanese relatives, friends, colleagues and business connections. Our histories, cultures and economies have become increasingly intertwined.
When Guyanese families suffer, many families in Trinidad and Tobago feel that pain as well.
It was therefore appropriate for the Government to act with urgency and humanity.
The deployment also reminds us of the importance of maintaining a capable and properly resourced Defence Force. Citizens sometimes see military vessels, aircraft, divers and specialised training only through the lens of national security.
Yet these resources are equally important for humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime emergencies and regional rescue operations.
The men and women participating in this mission represent Trinidad and Tobago with courage and professionalism. Their work may not always receive the public attention given to politicians, but their willingness to leave home and assist another nation during one of its darkest moments deserves the country’s respect.
There will eventually be investigations into the cause of this tragedy, the condition of the vessel, the accuracy of the passenger manifest and whether maritime safety procedures were followed.
Those investigations are necessary, and anyone responsible for negligence must be held accountable.
For now, however, the immediate priority must remain supporting the search, assisting survivors and bringing closure to grieving families.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has shown that regional leadership is not measured only by speeches. It is measured by whether we are prepared to deploy our people, equipment and expertise when our neighbours need us most.
In Guyana’s hour of grief, Trinidad and Tobago did not simply say that we stood with them.
We sent help.
That is what Caribbean unity looks like.