–Minister McCoy urges citizens; cautions them not to be distracted by Mohamed’s diversionary tactics
MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information Kwame McCoy has accused Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed of attempting to sow division among Guyanese communities.
McCoy, speaking during an Amerindian Heritage Month event, took aim at Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the United States and is facing extradition proceedings, as he warned citizens to be cautious of what he described as efforts to mislead communities.
According to McCoy, Mohamed’s recent movement across the country and appearances in various communities were part of a broader effort to influence public opinion and shield himself from the legal challenges he faces.
“He would like people of this country in the lies they peddle the trouble that he faces and responses to the lies are all concerted efforts.”
McCoy also revisited Mohamed’s long-standing difficulties with United States authorities, claiming that the businessman had been denied a US visa since 2010, and that his father had also faced visa-related restrictions.
The minister further alleged that Mohamed’s current legal troubles were connected to a history of issues involving US authorities, including what he described as an admission by former Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman concerning his implication in tax-related matters.
McCoy said those developments had ultimately contributed to the circumstances surrounding the indictment now confronting Mohamed.
Turning to Mohamed’s outreach in Amerindian communities, McCoy accused the Opposition Leader of attempting to create the impression that the Government had done nothing to improve the lives of Indigenous and hinterland communities.
“They will come and mislead, and that is why they cannot be trusted. His movement around the country is to protect him from being extradited…A major part of his objective is to divide communities, and the country cannot develop and the country needs to be united and help the government in reaching the desired objectives and reject,” the minister said.
He argued that such messaging is designed to undermine public confidence in the Government’s development programme, and deepen divisions among Guyanese.
McCoy said Guyana’s development required unity, urging citizens to reject what he characterised as attempts to fracture communities for political gain.
