By KNEWS

Copyright kaieteurnewsonline

Relatives of abducted men turn to Venezuela for help

Sep 10, 2025
News

Kaieteur News – The relatives of abducted Guyanese boat captain, Frederick Pollard and his passenger, Antonio Jose Bolivar better known as “Pancho” have turned to the Venezuelan government for help.

More than two weeks have passed since they were both abducted in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven by members of a Venezuelan gang. The Guyanese boat captain known as “Uncle Freddy” had called home to say he is alive and well but days have passed since that phone call.

Negotiations to have him safely released appeared to have fallen through and there has been no further update on his well-being or the well-being of the passenger abducted with him. The Guyana Police Force has launched an investigation into the abduction of the men but Kaieteur News learnt that the gang has taken the men to a location deeper in Venezuela.

Although the police force is willing to assist the family, a spokesperson had said that there is not much that they can do because the gang has reportedly taken the men into Venezuelan territory where it does not have jurisdiction. Local investigators will now have to depend on their Venezuelan counterparts for assistance with the case.

Pollard’s relatives have since taken steps to petition the Venezuelan authorities for help with the case. That petition was publicised across social media platforms. In the petition family members said, “Freddy’s wife (a former captain of the Venezuelan Village San Martin) and other family members are distressed not knowing anything about him and once again we are asking the corresponding authorities to address the situation”.

Pollard and “Pancho” were last seen on Sunday August 24, 2025, held captive in Botanamo Creek, a mining area located on Venezuela’s Shore along the Cuyuni River.

Despite the risks and dangers, Pollard’s family members and friends visited the location to see if he was still there but when they arrived, they only found his boat and some of his personal belongings in the vessel. They later learnt that the abductors had taken him to another location in Venezuela.

Antonio Jose Bolivar, boat captain, Cuyuni River, Frederick Pollard, Venezuelan gang, Venezuelan Government