Lethem-Bonfim border crossing not reopened – PM clarifies

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is performing duties as President, on Tuesday debunked misinformation circulating on social media, suggesting that the Lethem-Bonfim border crossing between Guyana and Brazil was reopened.

In a statement, the Prime Minister clarified, “These reports are patently false. Despite Ministers of the Government of Guyana holding talks with the Governor of the State of Roraima on September 17, 2021, no agreement has been reached on the reopening of the border crossing. Therefore, the information in circulation is inaccurate and may be intended to create mischief.”
He assured residents of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and other stakeholders who depend on the border crossing being opened for their livelihoods that both parties on either side of the border remain fully engaged in bringing a resolution to the issue. This is once it is safe and reasonable to do so.
At the request of the Guyana Government, a meeting was facilitated with Governor of the State of Roraima in Boa Vista, Antonio Oliverio García de Almeida last Friday.

Guyana’s delegation comprised of Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Senior Minister in the Office of the President responsible for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; senior officials from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry and the National COVID-19 Task Force.

From the outset, the Governor and State Representatives of Roraima and Guyana’s Ministers of Government highlighted the importance both Brazil and Guyana’s Governments attach to the bilateral relationship.
Minister Anthony said while it is understandable that members of the communities want an opening of the border to allow for the movement of commerce and people, the arrangement put in place to restrict the movement of goods to one day per week had worked satisfactorily over the past year.
He pointed out that while it was Guyana’s desire to have the border between the two countries opened as quickly as possible, this had to be done safely given the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases and the threat of the spread of the Delta variant across the communities.
This situation was compounded by the unfortunate position being taken by some persons in Guyana not to be vaccinated. He highlighted that one possible solution is for all persons transiting the border to be fully vaccinated and produce a negative PCR test. Both sides will further discuss this to arrive at a decision in the future.
This meeting initiated after blockades and protest action by Brazilians over the closure of the border crossing.