Bonfim protest ends as travel restriction to Lethem eased

Mark Phillips

Weeks of protesting by residents in the Brazilian town of Bonfim have ended as the Guyana Government has agreed to more movement of traders between the two countries but with COVID-19 rules in place.

As of yesterday vaccinated persons were allowed to travel from Bonfim and other communities to Lethem. Brazilians who work and trade in Lethem first blocked the Bonfim highway several weeks ago preventing the delivery of essentials to the border town such as cooking gas in protest at their own lack of access to Guyana.

Under the new order which was petitioned for by Region Nine officials, persons will be allowed to travel across the Takutu River bridge on Thursdays and Fridays. The officials include Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock, Regional Executive Officer Karl Singh and Lethem Mayor John Macedo.