14 African migrants found dead off Venezuela’s coast

Summary

• Venezuelan authorities discovered 14 deceased African migrants on a boat near Punta Barima, Delta Amacuro
• The victims, carrying African passports, died of starvation and dehydration, according to preliminary reports
• The incident highlights the dangers of migrant routes across the Atlantic, often exploited by smuggling networks

Caracas, Venezuela – On June 5, 2025, Venezuelan authorities reported the discovery of a boat carrying the bodies of 14 African migrants off the coast of Punta Barima, a strategic coastal area in Delta Amacuro near the Atlantic Ocean.

A photogrid of the boat as found on the Venezuelan Coast

The announcement was made by Interior and Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello, who noted that the victims were found with African passports, though their specific nationalities were not disclosed in initial reports.

Preliminary investigations suggest the migrants succumbed to starvation and dehydration during their perilous journey.

The boat was located in a remote area, and authorities are investigating potential involvement of criminal groups, a recurring issue in the region due to its proximity to international waters.

Posts on X and news reports indicate this tragedy is part of a broader pattern of dangerous migration attempts, with smugglers exploiting desperate individuals seeking better livelihoods.

The discovery echoes a similar incident in May 2025, when 11 bodies, believed to be Malian migrants, were found on a boat washed ashore in St Vincent and the Grenadines, suggesting a growing trend of risky Atlantic crossings from Africa, possibly aimed at reaching the Canary Islands.

No one has formally reported the disappearances, complicating identification efforts, but Venezuelan and regional authorities are collaborating to uncover further details.