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Colombian national Monica Marcela Pineda goes missing in VI

- arrived on Norwegian Sky on April 28, 2024 & never returned to ship
The public in the Virgin Islands (VI) is being asked to assist with locating Mrs. Monica Marcela Pineda, a Colombian national who arrived in the VI on a cruise ship and vanished. Photo: Department of Immigration
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The public in the Virgin Islands (VI) is being asked to assist with locating Mrs. Monica Marcela Pineda, a Colombian national who arrived in the VI on a cruise ship and vanished.

Mrs Pineda travelled to the Territory on the Norwegian Sky on Sunday, 28, 2024 and has neither returned to the ship nor departed the Territory legally.

Persons a with information on the whereabouts of Mrs Pineda, are being asked to contact the Department of Immigration at 468-4705, 468-4717, 468-4754 or the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Hotline at 311.

Just recently, three Colombian tourists also went missing after they reportedly arrived in the VI on the same vessel, the Norwegian Sky in March.  

The three were Jean Carlo Ospina Cano, Pamela Mesa Escobar and Yesica Yojana Marin Ramirez who arrived on the vessel, disembarked during a port stop and never returned.

 

 

55 Responses to “Colombian national Monica Marcela Pineda goes missing in VI”

  • What a sarcastic Title (29/04/2024, 19:14) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all know she ain’t going back on No damn Cruise
    • Greg (30/04/2024, 08:23) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      We would like to know who in the BVI is in charge of planning these escapes and housing them for what reason. This is a small place, so they can't hide forever. Why are the tourists risking their lives to be here? Are they setting up a group to kill people here who have done them wrong with drug and gun smuggling? This is very scary for all of us. Watch for strangers who show up in your neighborhoods under the pretense of visiting family members here. Keep copies of their faces on your phones posted here too.
  • War on Drugs (29/04/2024, 19:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thanks for the ride.
  • Askin 4a friend (29/04/2024, 19:36) Like (44) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this a new way of smuggling in.
  • just remember (29/04/2024, 19:37) Like (24) Dislike (8) Reply
    Hold the ship responsible
  • We need (29/04/2024, 19:55) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    We need her to get our drugs lessons!
    Time to have them dope running !
  • ... (29/04/2024, 19:57) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Something is going on here but do we have to live with the consequences of it?
  • ok. There is a pattern here. (29/04/2024, 20:09) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is no doubt there is something going on here with these cruise ship passengers who are not returning to the ship once they get here. Seems like this is a new human smuggling plot. Get the BVI by cruise, and there are probably people waiting on this end to pick them up and take them some where else.
  • Daisy (29/04/2024, 20:16) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    The immigration officers need to be allowed to do their jobs.
  • Real Talk (29/04/2024, 20:23) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    AUTHORITIES BETTER OPEN THEM EYES AND LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE DRUGS PLANE DROPPING DRIGS EVERY NIGHT COLUMBIAN AND VENEZULA DRUGS BOSS ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE IT GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B EVEN A FEW CORRUPT IMMIGRATION AND POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED ALONG WITH OUR OWN PEOPLE THAT WILL SELL THEIR SOUL AND COUNTRY FOR A DOLLAR MY PEOPLE WAKE UPPPPPP
  • Hmm (29/04/2024, 20:24) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    Each time it's Norwegian Sky and most of those missing are Colombian. I wonder if that's a coincidence?
  • Sup (29/04/2024, 20:29) Like (43) Dislike (0) Reply
    These people are using the cruise lines to leave their native countries versus paying tons of cash to be sardined on a small go-boat with a bunch of other unknowns in treacherous waters, minimal food and water, no access to a commode. This is the new way and safer way to get here and in close proximity to the US.
    • @Sup (29/04/2024, 21:58) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      I think you hit the hammer on its head. The key point that you made here is that is a safer way to get to where they need to go. They are now using these cruise ships to get safe passage to the BVI with someone picking them up and taking them to another destination, most likely the USVI.

      @Local made a good point below. The immigration folks need to tighten up their act. Better, the cruise ships should not allow anyone who does not have a visa to visit the BVI from suspected drug traffic countries to get off board.

      The two guys who did not return to the ship a week or so ago had passports from St.Kitts and some other country. So that is not proof safe.

      There is a whole in the immigration process that is clearly being exploited that needs to be fixed right away. Something needs to be done. This is clearly a new human trafficking route.
      • jolly (30/04/2024, 07:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        You mean government needs to allow immigration to do what they were trained to do and stop letting these cruise companies dictate what’s done in the country.
      • foreign (30/04/2024, 08:48) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
        Let me share my knowledge here. Most cruise ships stops in USVI, so if the aim is to get to USVI they don't need to disappear in the BVI, they can do that when the ship dock in the USVI. Something else is going on, anybody's guess?
        • Input (30/04/2024, 09:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
          Most of the ones that stop in the USVI originate in the US as well. The Norwegian ships that have "lost" people have all started in the Dominican Republic.
    • agree but (30/04/2024, 09:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why not just get on a cruise ship going to the USVI. Lots of them going there. I think something is going on here, maybe to silence some people.
      • That’s no no (30/04/2024, 10:45) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
        In order for one to do a cruise that goes to the usvi , the person is required to have a us visa.
  • Local (29/04/2024, 20:31) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    The government is to blame immigration dept. Need to notify the cruise ship that any national that needs a visa to enter the bvi cannot disembark the ship. They can enjoy the view from the ship.
    • @local (30/04/2024, 01:18) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      You are right! But the cruise line knows who needs Visa and these ppl are not allowed to disembark. The cruise line is responsible for this. All passports are kept on board until end of the cruise. BUT… nobody is checking the beach bags when passengers are going to the beach. Tons of cocaine can enter the BVI that way
      • Hmmmm (30/04/2024, 17:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Do they hold passports nowadays? I recently did a cruise and they did not hold mine.

        It's a serious thing to go missing. Sometimes missing people turn up dead. I hope the authorities are looking for these people because they could be in grave danger.
    • NO SAH (30/04/2024, 07:28) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Trust me, immigration has been fighting for this to happen. Government needs to take the blame and not immigration.
  • MISSING ❓️ (29/04/2024, 21:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    there are more than kind of ☆ MIS ~ Sin ☆ going swimming with the SHArks
  • again? (29/04/2024, 21:54) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is coming a pattern now
  • yeah (29/04/2024, 22:15) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    When they leave the ship with a whole suitcase and another passenger Carrie’s the second suitcase for them, you know they have reached their destination.
  • West side (29/04/2024, 22:23) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Look her there in west end
  • Pumpa Bvi (29/04/2024, 23:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Her name end with an A.
  • born here (30/04/2024, 00:09) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    I say that these aliens or illegal immigrants who is plaguing the BVI need to be forced to work hard like: cleaning up the streets, cutting the bushes, other things (Without Pay) until they can repatriate them back to their country.

    Those who escape from the Tourist Ships, make the Ship pay a huge fine
  • Hmm (30/04/2024, 01:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is it always Colombians and Venezuelans lately? That is sooo weird that it coincides with the recent crack down on drug trafficking.
  • Doll (30/04/2024, 01:33) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its time we ask the UK and US to form an alliance with other Caribbean counterparts to figure out this ship quickly. I believe the parties involved are as follows:
    1. A Norwegian employee
    2. BVIdlander/Belonger or someone who lives here with strong ties to South American or Mexican drug lords
    Therefore, let us not keep our heads buried to wait for all hell to break loose. These episodes with Norwegian needs to be nip in the bud straightway. If we continue to let this fester, the next vanishing person might be one of our very own people, perhaps somebody's teenage daughter. Any investigations been done should be kept tightlipped and Norwegian should foot the bill. Why is our Government sitting idly by being si lapsed. Pleass lets not fall asleep on this. Perhaps, we need to requesf an audience with that man who was recently caught and sentenced in Puerto Rico. He might be able to shed some light on whats going with these recent himan smuggling. Wellsah, our beautiful Virgin islands now involved with this type of trash commodity. Its going to take us down a slippery slope we might never come back from. Then out goes our Financial Services, Tourism followed being treated like a Pariah when travelling to other countries. I believe we don't want that type of stigma associated to us like unfortunately, like how most Jamaicans are treated in whilst travelling to most Countries. I have seen this with my own eyes and have also heard stories. The majority shouldn't have to pay for the guilty, not a good idea to put everyone under the same unbrella. So lets work together and nip this in the bud before we, a family or friend fall victim to one of these hoodlums. To Ms Pineda, pleaseturn yourself into one of the nearesr police station because if we don't find you and you get into the US, they will definitely find and deport your behind back to your Country. If you are being held captive, pray and ask the Almighty to help you find a way out of the situation, so please seek assistance from an Immigration Officer, Police Officer,, Customs Officer or a civic minded resident.We will help you find your way home. To the known and unknown Criminals, please do all the peaceful, loving, kind VI rrsidents a favor and cease this type and all types of criminal activity as this only leads to your eventual demise; its either your death, a jail sentence or some type of mental instability. How can you rest at night? Why don't you find a legitimate job? Is this wjat your parents taught you? Aren't you tired living this dirty life? Most people are happy to say what they do and where they work. What do you say? Are you prpud of the petson you have become? Whem you srand before Almighty God, and he asks you to give an account of your life, what will you say and how would you feel? Remember money isn't all. Please try and save your soul before you are lost in eternity. May God have mercy on your soul. To my fellow Virgin Islanders, please stay strong, put God first, don't give up on your children, cintinue to fast and pray and knlw that this too shall past. We will gwt thru this but we need to work together. If you see something please say something. God bless the British Virgin Islands and all who call it home. Peace and love to all of you.
  • Lest we forget (30/04/2024, 04:56) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can the photos of the missing be posted daily, lest we forget?
    • Lee (30/04/2024, 10:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree, post the photos at all port of entries, stops, locations, outlets, businesses and government departments.
  • Jaws (30/04/2024, 06:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    some of us will be keeping a low profile aka ( ghost ) but when you play games with the Columbian money it's like making a date with the devil , Don't be supprised when ( sum ah dem fron ya ) start disappearing / went missing , you read it here first ,
  • ??? (30/04/2024, 07:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Curious where is this ship embarking from?? I know alot of cruise ships board from the US. Where are passengers of this one boarding?
    • Interesting stuff (30/04/2024, 07:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well cruise ships are now home porting in lots of other jurisdictions besides the U. S including Barbados, Martinique and elsewhere. One of the stops for a ship that comes from Martinique is right here in the good old BVI.
    • @??? (30/04/2024, 14:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      That particular ship starts in the Dominican Republic. Others as well
  • Lilly (30/04/2024, 07:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thus the reason why immigration is trying to enforce that unless a passenger from certain countries have certain documentation they should remain on the damn ship. I hope all concerned now have a better understanding of the reason for them not being able to disembark the vessels.
  • cc (30/04/2024, 07:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ship needs to hold everyone passport on board, until ship leaves port
  • Ninja (30/04/2024, 07:44) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    She's with me in bed. We just woke up. What she missed?
  • Beware (30/04/2024, 09:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the invaders privates and bucaneers are real

    Pray
  • lol (30/04/2024, 09:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If it was cocaine they would be all over it, but nobody is interested in the illegal immigrants.
  • oh? (30/04/2024, 11:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    See why we need to stay out of world affairs, our borders are not secure at all. How are they planning to get out of the BVI?

    This is very serious because those south American gangs use both women & children to kill people regularly in their home countries.

    We have no security at all just good will sustaining us.
  • lodger (30/04/2024, 11:17) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Norwegian Sky gets around the world a lot, but she wont be back here until December 2025, next year. If you want to follow cruise ship movements look up VACATIONSTOGO and make your pick.
  • ? (30/04/2024, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's time to get onboard with fingerprint these persons. I'm sure they have several passports on hand to evade officials from their true identity.
    • you know (02/05/2024, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      When they plan to go missing they have at least two passports.
  • Hmm (30/04/2024, 14:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    She’s somewhere with some man
  • Governors Head Chef (30/04/2024, 15:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She made excellent fajitas at the Governors residence last night.
  • Well (30/04/2024, 19:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    School children say something in the matter bedside the pestle
  • Well (30/04/2024, 19:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    School children say something in the matter bedside the pestle
  • uh (30/04/2024, 19:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad to say them immigration officer's need to go back to the drawing board
  • GGH (01/05/2024, 18:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Work by one of the hundreds of Spainish bar scattered throughout the place.


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