IN today’s increasingly complex geopolitical environment, small states such as Guyana must act with calculated foresight to defend their sovereignty.
The Government of Guyana’s decision to contract a United States lobbying firm is not just defensible, it is necessary. Faced with mounting aggression from Venezuela and a brewing misinformation campaign aimed at influencing global opinion, Guyana cannot afford to stand alone.
At the heart of this effort is the need to safeguard our territorial integrity, a concern that has taken on renewed urgency as Venezuela continues to assert illegitimate claims over the Essequibo region.
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s General Secretary and Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, rightly emphasised this reality during his weekly press conference, where he clarified that the government’s engagement of the lobbying firm was designed to bolster diplomatic and strategic relationships with key international allies, particularly the United States.
The U.S. remains one of Guyana’s strongest allies in the realms of defence, democracy, and development. In the face of Venezuelan aggression, its support is indispensable.
The Vice-President was correct to remind us that Venezuela actively lobbies U.S. policymakers and that failure to counter this with accurate, fact-based advocacy would leave Guyana at a severe disadvantage.
More importantly, this issue is not about personalities—it’s about national interest. The U.S. government’s decision to sanction Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed through the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) should be viewed through the lens of international financial security and legal compliance.
The Government of Guyana has a responsibility—legal, economic, and moral—to distance the state apparatus from individuals under such serious investigation.
Yet, some have sought to politicise this issue, suggesting that the hiring of the lobbying firm was part of a campaign to undermine local political figures. That narrative does a disservice to the truth.
As Dr Jagdeo clarified, the government does not instruct the lobbying firm on a daily basis. The firm’s role is to provide accurate information to U.S. policymakers, ensuring that Guyana’s voice is heard in the halls of Washington amid foreign attempts to distort the reality on the ground.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali also reaffirmed this position, noting that the government’s primary diplomatic priority is to ensure that its allies—particularly the U.S.—are aware of any threats posed to Guyana’s national interests.
That includes not just territorial threats from Venezuela, but also economic and reputational threats that may arise from association with sanctioned individuals.
The reality is that continuing to do business with the Mohameds would have posed serious risks to Guyana’s entire financial system.
As Dr Jagdeo rightly pointed out, banks had already cut ties with the sanctioned entities. If the government had ignored this and allowed such entities to continue operating with state endorsement, the entire economy could have been dragged into U.S. crosshairs—a risk no responsible administration would take.
Moreover, congressional voices such as those of Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez should not be ignored or dismissed.
These are policymakers with access to intelligence briefings, and their comments about the dangers of legitimizing sanctioned individuals are grounded in serious institutional concerns. When they speak out, they do so with the weight of evidence—not on whims or hearsay.
Let us be clear: this is not about silencing political opponents. This is about preserving Guyana’s hard-won progress, from booming energy development to rising global respect as a stable democracy in the region.
In a world where economic sanctions can have devastating ripple effects, we cannot afford to gamble with our international standing.
As Guyanese, we must demand transparency and accountability, but we must also be wise enough to recognise when our government is acting in the best interest of the nation’s future.
Strategic diplomacy, not reckless defiance, will determine Guyana’s long-term security and prosperity.
Our territorial integrity, financial system and global partnerships are not pawns to be played in political theatre.
They are foundations of our national strength and they must be protected, with purpose, with clarity, and with unity.