–over frequent visits to Venezuelan Embassy, Jagdeo says

FLAGGING the reported frequent engagements between OFAC-sanctioned businessman Nazar Mohamed and the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has branded the visits as a concern for national security and dared his critics to prove him wrong.

During a press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, the General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) defended Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, who raised an alarm over “grave concerns” for Guyana’s sovereignty, democracy and vital international partnerships.

The Vice-President said that the minister’s summoning of the Venezuelan Ambassador was not because an “ordinary citizen” was going to the embassy but because of the previous alarms raised by members of the United States (US) Congress.

In recent weeks, members of the U.S. Congress have issued stern warnings to Guyana.

Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar said, “We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana… Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardise this vital relationship.”

Meanwhile, Congressman Carlos Gimenez accused the Maduro regime of backing “pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed,” pointing to his status as a sanctioned individual by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Recalling these alarms raised by members of the U.S. Congress, the Vice-President said that they would not have made such pronouncements without thorough briefings from their respective intelligence agencies.

On that note, Dr. Jagdeo firmly stated: “We have to safeguard or take every step, every step necessary to safeguard the sovereignty of this country against external aggression and against anyone who may try to undermine our sovereignty.”

Dr. Jagdeo stressed that the government is committed to safeguarding Guyana’s territorial sovereignty and even reminded citizens of the previous announcement by the Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Omar Khan that any person found attempting to undermine the country’s territorial integrity would face arrest and treason charges.

After Minister Todd’s revelations, Azruddin Mohamed who was also sanctioned, in a statement issued on the Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, denied visiting the Venezuelan Embassy. He also denied applying for a visa to travel to Venezuela.

Stressing that the government has strong evidence to support its claim, Dr. Jagdeo on Thursday said: “Since it surfaced that the father went to the embassy and they have gone silent…Prove me a liar now in the next five minutes, they can put that out. And I am willing to stake my entire political career on the fact that he did go to the Venezuelan Embassy.”
Further, the Vice-President said that Nazar should be questioned by the police or army about his frequent visits to the embassy of a country that is seeking to undermine Guyana’s sovereignty and laying claim to a large portion of its territory.

“We are in the election season, but we have to be a bit sensitive about it. That doesn’t mean they (the Mohameds) get off freely; they have to answer now,” he said.

In June 2024, OFAC sanctioned Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin, and their businesses, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World, and Team Mohamed’s Racing, alleging that between 2019 and 2023 they had under-declared over 10,000 kilogrammes of gold exports, defrauding Guyana of more than US$50 million in taxes.

Azruddin, now the public face of the newly formed WIN political party, has been linked to illicit gold smuggling and money laundering operations tied to Venezuela.

With Guyana’s ongoing case before the International Court of Justice, and national elections approaching, the government has reaffirmed that it will remain vigilant and proactive to prevent any external attempt to destabilise the nation.