Azruddin Mohamed Rejects Venezuela Link, Stands Firm for Guyana’s Sovereignty
- Azruddin Mohamed rejects claims of being a Venezuelan puppet.
- He reaffirms commitment to Guyana’s sovereignty amidst accusations.
- Mohamed threatens legal action against the PPPC government.
WIN Leader Defends Guyana’s Sovereignty Against Accusations
Azruddin Mohamed, the leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, has firmly rejected claims made by U.S. Republican Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez, branding him as a ‘puppet candidate’ for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. During a statement on Monday, Mohamed asserted unequivocally his commitment to Guyana’s sovereignty, stating, “I reject Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo. I stand firmly for Guyana’s sovereignty. I always have and always will.” The context for this rebuttal arrives amidst the charged atmosphere surrounding the upcoming general and regional elections set for September 1, 2025.
Legal Consequences and Diplomatic Avenues Explored
Mr. Mohamed then indicated potential legal action against the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) for enlisting the services of Continental Strategy LLC, a U.S. lobbying firm, at a substantial cost of US$50,000 monthly. He emphasized that he was consulting with his legal team about pursuing actions—both civil and criminal—against the Guyanese government for what he refers to as false claims perpetuated by a registered foreign agent. “I am also exploring diplomatic avenues to ensure that this misuse of efforts aimed at my character is exposed on a global scale,” he mentioned, underscoring his concerns regarding international reputation and safety.
Political Vendetta or Unjust Accusations?
Congressman Gimenez, in a tweet earlier this week, accused the Venezuelan regime of seeking to weaken Guyana by using Mohamed as a pro-Maduro agent under U.S. sanctions. Mohamed has found himself and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, designated by the U.S. Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over allegations of tax evasion involving massive gold exports. In response, Mohamed accused the Irfaan Ali-led administration of executing a politically motivated vendetta against him, navigating a dangerous intersection of domestic politics on international soil. He argues that such accusations pose a direct threat to his safety, declaring, “By falsely linking me to a hostile regime, the government is deliberately placing my safety and that of my family at risk. They are attempting to criminalize dissent and delegitimize my candidacy not through debate, but through deception and fearmongering.”
In summary, Azruddin Mohamed has categorically denied affiliations with Venezuela, defending his stance on Guyanese sovereignty emphatically. He is pursuing legal measures against the government for their alleged smear campaign financed through a U.S. lobbying firm. The unfolding drama underscores tensions in Guyana’s political landscape as the September elections approach and raises troubling questions about the use of state resources against political opponents.
