Our ‘Human Rights’ were respected: Released Guyanese Fishermen

In this photo, two of the fishermen Michael Domingo and Orlando Roberts who were released by Venezuela after their detention. At left are the the two vessels on which the men were working when they were captured.

The twelve Guyanese fishermen who were formerly detained by the Venezuelan Navy almost two weeks ago, finally docked at Charity on Saturday morning, after being released a few days ago.

Some of the men who spoke with the media this morning, described their unfortunate circumstance as tiring, yet pleasant.

The men explained to BIG Smith News Watch, that never, throughout their time in detention, were they mistreated by the Venezuelan Authority.

One crew member, Michael Domingo, who was aboard the fishing vessel Lady Nadira, said that he and his fellow crew members were comfortable aboard their vessels throughout their time in detention.

When asked to give a recount of his experience, the father of two said related…

“The Venezuelan boat just come and pick we up at Waini, and they carry we down to Venezuela, but to be honest throughout the entire time them man treat we good and them thing… They carry we to court and they even had a man translating for we.”

When asked if there was ever a time he felt scared, Domingo said, “We weren’t really scared because them man nice to we. The only thing is we couldn’t really come off the boat them man had we one place and share guard man around we.”

Domingo nevertheless told this publication that the Venezuelan Authority had confiscated their catch, and that it was never returned.

“they take away the fish and discharge the fish we ain’t know what happen to it but we had nuff fish like snapper Galebaker.”

The fisherman said that he was happy upon learning that the vessels will be released, since it will grant him an opportunity to reunite with his family.

“When we here we getting release I feel nice because I know I will get a chance to go back to Wakenaam to reunite with me family.”

Asked if he will continue fishing, Domingo said “This is the first time since I’m doing this work something like this ever happened, but I gotta go back because is me job. I have two children to take care of.”

Orlando Roberts, who was aboard the Sea Wolf, shared similar sentiments as his colleague Domingo; saying that they were treated with kindness by the Venezuelan authority.

“We were really comfortable to a point where it didn’t really feel like we were in captivity. They didn’t put we anywhere like in a cell or a jail. We were in the boat and we were comfortable all the time.”

Most of these fishermen will no doubt have flashes  of what transpired from time to time. Their resolve, nevertheless, is to never be deterred from fishing.