US-sanctioned Mohamed threatens Guyana’s financial system & territorial integrity – Pres. Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali today explained that United States-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty, and diplomacy.

He made the assertion via a live broadcast on his social media page, in response to public complaints that the government is targeting the US-sanctioned businessman, who has now turned a political aspirant.

Mohamed has been sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged gold smuggling and drug trafficking.

Citing Guyana’s reliance on allies like the United States for defence against Venezuela’s territorial claims, the President said Mohamed’s sanctions threaten those critical diplomatic relationships.

“He (Azruddin Mohamed) is a risk to our financial system. I would ask the media and all his handlers to ask the commercial banks why they have not sanctioned him. Why is he a risk to our country? Ask the insurance companies why they cannot conduct financial transactions with him…He is also a threat to our diplomacy and our diplomacy is linked to the defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. In those sanctions, the US government has made it very clear that the US government or agencies or businesses cannot conduct business with him,” the president explained in his live broadcast.

The President’s message came after an exchange with journalists earlier in the day about the government’s hiring of the firm Continental Strategy LLC for federal engagements and advocacy in America.

He indicated that the hiring of the firm is to ensure that the country’s allies  work are well-informed about any threats posed to the country.

“Is our security linked to our relationship with key allies like the US in defence of our border? Yes, it is. This does not require rocket science. These are the facts. Our national security and the greatest threat are that of Venezuela. Is Azruddin Mohamed a threat to the defence of this border against Venezuela? Yes, because our key ally has identified him to the extent that he is sanctioned by them,” the president explained.

“Let us not be naïve about this…This is about our security architecture and infrastructure…And let me be very clear, these investigations were there long before he announced his political ambition or aspirations. These things did not come about yesterday.”

Further, President Ali warned against the attempt by Mohamed and his affiliates to frame the US sanctions and scrutiny as political victimisation, stating bluntly that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) is not threatened by the US-sanctioned businessman, labeling him a “political lightweight”

“Azruddin Mohamed is absolutely no threat to the People’s Progressive Party electoral victory…,” President Ali declared.

“So don’t use your current situation that you brought upon yourself because of your action to paint a picture of political victimisation. The world and every right-thinking Guyanese know that this is a total lie and far from the truth.”

In addition to the US sanctions, the businessman is also charged locally with tax evasion, for amounts totalling some $900 million.

Mohamed has signalled his intention to contest the upcoming election under a newly formed political party called “We Invest in Nationhood”.