5th of October, 2021. Region 9, Guyana, South America
Last updated: October 5, 2021 at 13:30 pmAfter several weeks of holding out day and night through rain and shine, Brazilian protestors who were fighting for a better cross-border agreement with the Guyana Government are now happy with the peace deal brokered between them and the Guyana Government by the REO of Region 9, Mr. Carl Singh. This is according to a spokesperson for the Brazilian protestors who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity.
The protestors said they faced many challenges for the 20+ days that they endured the heat of the sun, the cold of the night, and threats from opponents in both countries. At one point, a group of businessmen in Boa Vista, Brazil moved to the courts in Boa Vista to secure an order granting the police powers to disband the protestors. They didn’t succeed. But the protestors said that they were disappointed that some high ranking officials of Bonfim, who were supposed to be their own kit and kin, were fighting to disband them. Nevertheless, they held their ground.
Last week, a peace deal brokered by the REO of Region 9, Mr. Carl Singh, with the Prime Minister of Guyana, Mr. Mark Phillips, made provisions for Brazilians to cross the border between certain time periods under the condition that they present a negative PCR test and vaccine passport. Residents of Bonfim can cross without PCR test results between certain time periods provided they present proof of address and vaccine passports.
The protestors had blocked merchandise coming into Guyana from Brazil for over three weeks pushing Region 9 to the brink of an economic crisis. Last week with the announcement of the new rules, nearly fifty cars cluttered the bridge with eager passengers rushing with a sigh of relief to cross over into Lethem. This entire ordeal and its timely resolution highlight the strong ties and heavy reliance between the peoples of the two neighboring countries.
