Lobbyist hired to inform US on threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity – VP Jagdeo

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified that the Guyana Government engaged the American lobbying firm Continental Strategy LLC to keep the United States informed about threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity.

He emphasised that the firm does not receive daily briefings from the government and that no one in the PPP administration gave any instructions for the lobbyists to target US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed.

Jagdeo made these statements during a press conference on Thursday, addressing concerns raised after two US Congress members issued statements this week regarding recent developments in Guyana.

On Monday, US Congressman Carlos Gimenez raised concerns over what he describes as Venezuela’s attempt to influence internal affairs in Guyana, specifically through a controversial figure.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Gimenez stated: “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.”

The remark refers to Mohamed, a Guyanese businessman and political aspirant, who has been sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Then on Tuesday, US Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar posted on social media platform X: “We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana. As a strategic ally of the United States, Guyana deserves leaders who respect democratic values. Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardize this vital relationship.”

However, some sections of society have sought to downplay the statements from the US politicians, instead focusing the narrative on the firm hired by the Guyana Government for federal engagements and advocacy in America.

Jagdeo clarified that the firm has to deal with everything related to Venezuela and the border controversy “because the United States of America is very important in the defence of our territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

In justifying the hiring of the firm, Jagdeo pointed out that Venezuela, through lobbyists, constantly try to influence US policymakers in relation to the border controversy, spreading false information on the history of the issue.

“This is a major firm to help to fight off Venezuelan threat,” he said.

He further explained that the US Congresspersons are supported by staff and intelligence briefings. “They know what they’re talking about,” the Vice President said.

“We don’t tell the lobbyist what to do on a daily basis…no one in government said to go after the Mohamed,” he added.

Jagdeo further explained that given the firm’s vast network and access to information, if they have unearthed a link between Mohamed and threats to Guyana’s security, and for a member of the US Congress to add their name to that position, “trust me, there is a connection”.

He suggested that the connection could be rooted in illegal activities.

“You got a longstanding issue of Venezuela bypassing sanctions through the gold smuggling and some of it was coming through Guyana, the smuggling of Venezuelan gold through Guyana, that there were generals in Venezuela who were complicit with individuals here who were the conduit to getting Venezuelan gold, in that period…out through it being sold from Guyana through individuals in Guyana,” he outlined, telling reporters “you do the maths”.

The Vice President also pointed out that both Mohamed and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are US-sanctioned individuals, indicating that if the Guyanese businessman wins the presidency, “he may very well lose the US support on the border issue.”

“They’ll be conflicted as to who to support because you’ll have two sanctioned individuals,” Jagdeo said.