WEEKS after daring the government to provide proof, CCTV footage has surfaced showing US-sanctioned businessman Nazar Mohamed exiting the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown.

The video shows him leaving with an associate in a vehicle, PAG 3664, which is reportedly registered to the Mohameds.

Earlier this month, the elder Mohamed spoke with the Stabroek News, but critics subsequently pointed out that rather than confirming or denying whether he had been to the embassy, Mohamed sought to divert attention by framing the matter as a political attack.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo previously flagged the reported frequent engagements between the OFAC-sanctioned businessman and the Venezuelan Embassy, and noted that the visits were a concern for national security.

Dr. Jagdeo 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.

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