–offers no explanation

UNITED STATES-sanctioned businessman and presidential hopeful Azruddin Mohamed appears unfazed by the shadow of financial sanctions as he eyes the presidency under his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.

Mohamed, sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of United States Department of the Treasury, is confident the US will not only lift his sanctions but will also partner with him if he is elected to office.

“When we take office, the second of September, the United States of America will work with us,” he declared after launching his party’s manifesto on Thursday.

He gave no further rationale or evidence to support this claim.

Bizarrely, Mohamed went on to compare himself to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose country was under U.S. sanctions for decades until recently when most were lifted by President Donald Trump.

Pressed further on how the U.S. sanctions might impact Guyana should he take power or become a parliamentarian, Mohamed abruptly shut down the line of questioning.

“…and with the U.S. I don’t want to comment on that anymore. We will comment on that at a later time,” he told reporters, dodging the implications for Guyana’s diplomatic standing.

His comments come just one day after U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, spoke about the potential inclusion of a U.S.-sanctioned individual in government, calling it “concerning” and alluding to possible diplomatic and economic fallout.

Speaking candidly with reporters on Wednesday, Ambassador Theriot made it clear that the OFAC views any elevation of Mohamed, currently the leader of the WIN party, as problematic.

“Yes, we are concerned anytime an OFAC-sanctioned individual has the potential to become a member of government…It’s problematic in multiple ways… We have to be very careful if that person is involved. Let’s say we were on a certain committee; we would have to be very careful in working with that committee. We have to make sure that we didn’t work with him specifically,” Ambassador Theriot stated.

She elaborated that U.S. law strictly limits engagement with individuals under OFAC sanctions, making Mohamed’s potential entry into Parliament, whether in government or opposition, an issue of regulatory and reputational risk for both diplomatic missions and private sector interests.

“He would still be a member of government. So that would be a concern for us,” Theriot said when asked whether Mohamed’s presence in the opposition would still raise alarm.
But the Ambassador did not stop at government engagement.
She raised a more urgent concern, such as the ripple effects on U.S. investment and business confidence in Guyana.

“When you see an OFAC-sanctioned individual become a part of an official within a government, it sends concern through the private sector of the United States. So, you see US companies are often rethinking their relationships in the country. We’ve seen it in Afghanistan and other countries’ companies … they look to de-risk or even cut ties. And we’re in such a beautiful position right now. All these US companies want to come to Guyana. I don’t want that to change,” Theriot explained.

On Tuesday, WIN candidates Natasha Singh-Lewis and Duarte Hetsberger, disclosed that Demerara Bank recently informed them of their intention to close their accounts.

The move followed their formal association with the WIN party, led by Mohamed, who, along with his father Nazar Mohamed were sanctioned by OFAC on June 11, 2024, for alleged gold smuggling and corruption.

WIN is one of six political parties contesting Guyana’s General and Regional Elections slated for September 1, 2025.