LEADER of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, US-sanctioned Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed dodged media questions over the United States’ concerns about the threat his political aspirations pose to Guyana’s national security and socioeconomic stability should he be elected to a parliamentary seat.

These concerns were raised by US Ambassador Nicole Theriot on the sidelines of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre yesterday.
Subsequent to the Ambassador’s comment, Mohamed appeared at a public meeting in Parfaite Harmonie where he was approached by the media but refused to comment directly on the ambassador’s expressed concerns.

Instead, he offered his usual terse response, which did not address the substance of the position of the United States, one of Guyana’s major global partners.
While mum for most of the exchange, Mohamed eventually said, “We will comment on that at a later time.”
Media workers pressed the US-sanctioned businessman for answers despite agitation from increasingly hostile WIN supporters who hurled expletives in an attempt to aid Mohamed in evading the questions asked.

Mohamed was hit with OFAC sanctions by the U.S Treasury Department last year based on completed investigations, which concluded his role in drug trafficking and gold smuggling amounting of tens of millions of US dollars, and tax evasion.

Just recently, US Congressman Carlos Gimenez raised the alarm on Mohamed via social media.
“In the US. Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC,” Congressman Carlos Gimenez said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

In a side interview today, US Ambassador Theriot when asked if the United States was concerned about Mohamed contesting in Guyana’s elections answered in the affirmative.
The Ambassador said when an OFAC-sanctioned person assumes a role in either the executive or legislature, it raises concerns within the U.S private sector.

She highlighted this being the case in Afghanistan where US companies would look to de-risk and cut ties to isolate themselves from the risk of association with sanctioned persons.
The US diplomat underscored that the relationship currently between Guyana and the United States is in a “beautiful place” considering the high interest of US companies in Guyana. (NCN)