Be wary of “fast boat” politicians trying to escape jail – Pres Ali tells Amerindians

…as AG raps “reckless” claims by opposition lawyers to MV Barima tragedy families

President Dr Irfaan Ali has cautioned Amerindians to be aware of politicians with selfish motives, who turn up in speedboats to exploit them in times of tragedy.
Speaking at the launch of the Amerindian Heritage Month on Tuesday evening, the Head of State pointed out that some politicians exploit the legitimate concerns and grievances of the indigenous peoples when their true interests are elsewhere.

“I say to you, our indigenous brothers and sisters, be careful about those who suddenly appear among you when there is a crisis. Arriving in fast boats, bearing hampers and expressions of sympathy, presenting themselves as champions of your interests. Be especially careful when people seek to turn your legitimate concerns into a vehicle for their own political or personal survival. Do not allow your grievances and aspirations to become somebody else’s escape route for their own legal troubles. Do not allow your concerns to be used as a ticket to avoid jail,” Ali declared.
His remarks come on the heels of United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed recently travelling to Region One (Barima-Waini) in his go-fast boat to meet with survivors and families of the victims of the July 18 MV Barima tragedy.
Mohamed, along with his father, Nazar Mohamed, is currently facing extradition to the US over allegations of gold smuggling and financial crimes. The father-and-son duo are currently out on $150,000 bail as they continue to fight their extradition.
“Sometimes the gravest danger is the person who comes smiling, bearing gifts, and claiming to be your friend. Gifts can be temporary. Sympathy can be convenient. Political promise can disappear when a crisis has passed. Yes, we feel the hurt. We acknowledge the hurt of a great tragedy. But…this Government [and] this president will stand with you in every season, in every moment, under every weather. We shall not waver,” the Guyanese Leader declared.
The MV Barima, a passenger and cargo ferry, sank on July 18, 2026, off the coast of Guyana near the Pomeroon River, claiming 73 lives, with another 30 persons still missing. Some 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident.
President Ali has since launched the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience, and Trust (HEART) Initiative to offer long-term, multistakeholder assistance to the survivors and families of victims of this tragedy.

“Reckless” claims
Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall recently condemned what he describes as “reckless” claims being made by some opposition-aligned lawyers to those impacted by the MV Barima tragedy.
“These lawyers are making reckless, foolish and careless allegations against the Government, accusing the Government of trying to hoodwink these persons in offering them compensation. And the way that they are doing it is also reprehensible,” he highlighted during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday.
Nandlall added, “Not only is what they are alleging completely without factual foundation, but the manner in which they are doing it is offensive to all the known cannons of ethics and in breach of their legal obligations under the Legal Practitioners Act…these lawyers are essentially going out there and trying to attract; it’s like they are soliciting and touting these persons to become their clients, and those are criminal offences.”
The AG explained that the Government has appointed a team of lawyers, led by Eamon Courtenay of Belize, to determine the modalities relating to financial assistance for the survivors and the victims’ families of the July 18 tragedy.
The team, which includes local practitioners such as Pauline Chase, Ronald Burch-Smith, Kamal Ramkarran and Ganesh Hira, has already done a lot of work in this regard, Nandlall said.
“Replacement of all legal documents, beginning to administer the estates of persons who have died to ensure that the legal interest of their beneficiaries is protected…dealing with applications to declare dead those who are missing and cannot be found. And that’s a very technical process. Meeting with all relatives to take the requisite information in relation to understanding who the beneficiaries are and who the affected persons are; that process is ongoing while the legal research is being done to create the requisite framework and for the legal advice to be given to the Government for the Government to offer recommended financial assistance,” he outlined.

“Not compensation”
Nandlall also stressed that the financial assistance “is not compensation” and “is not intended to be compensation.” He further contended that the Government is admitting liability but is offering long-term and short-term support for those affected.
He added that affected persons are entitled to seek their own legal advice, saying that “naturally every person who will be engaged will be advised that they have a right to retain and instruct lawyers of their choice, if they wish.”
However, Nandlall cautioned those persons against falling into traps, noting that “when you see these notifications on Facebook of giving what purports to be free legal advice and appear to be offering sagacious guidance, it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing; that’s what it is.”

Specifically, he cautioned persons against accepting legal representation arrangements that could ultimately require them to pay lawyers a substantial percentage of their financial assistance or compensation. He pointed to previous cases in which politically aligned lawyers had entered into similar arrangements.
Nandlall also reminded us that some of the lawyers offering what could be considered as free legal advice are also representing individuals who have been charged in connection with the deadly ferry accident.
Already, more than $75 million in financial assistance has been distributed to families under the HEART initiative, another support programme announced by President Ali for families and survivors of the tragedy.
Since its official launch back in July, the initiative has coordinated assistance for more than 750 affected persons across Regions One through Ten, providing support ranging from funeral and memorial expenses to housing, education, legal and psychosocial services. The HEART initiative is being led by Lead Coordinator Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepherd.