Jamaican fishermen in Colombia could be repatriated this weekend

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it hopes to have the 28 Jamaicans fishermen who are now in Colombia returned to the island this weekend.

The men have been in Colombia since last Friday after being rescued following a fire that destroyed their boat.

In a statement, foreign affairs minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said while it has been given clearance repatriate the fishermen those still being treated for burns cannot be released from medical care until Friday at the earliest “so arrangements for everyone’s return have to take that timing into consideration.”

“The safe and earliest possible return of the men is the immediate concern of the Government of Jamaica. We are working with the Colombian authorities to arrange for their safe return. We hope this will happen over the weekend,” added Johnson Smith.

She said the owner of the boat, who operates a commercial fishing company, has also been in contact with the foreign affairs ministry and maintains daily contact with the fishermen and has been keeping their families informed.

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