US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed applies for Venezuelan visa – Foreign Minister

…says matter raises sovereignty, election interference concerns

Just over a month after two United States (US) Congress members, Carlos Gimenez and María Elvira Salazar described local businessman and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party leader Azruddin Mohamed as “Maduro’s puppet,” Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, has confirmed that Mohamed has applied for a Venezuelan visa. The revelation was made by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, who disclosed that Mohamed, along with other members of his family, have been making frequent visits to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown. Guyana and Venezuela are currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awaiting oral hearing on the high-profile border controversy concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899, which established the boundary between the two countries.
According to Minister Todd, the matter is of “grave concern” to the Government of Guyana given the allegations made by US Congresspersons Carlos Gimenez and María Elvira Salazar linking the Mohameds to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
“I’m encouraged to inform you that only recently we found out that the Mohameds have been frequently visiting the Venezuelan Embassy here in Georgetown. Now, you can recall that we’ve had Congressmen in the United States of America who have been very vocal in connecting the Mohameds to Nicolás Maduro and his regime, particularly as it relates to smuggling and the sanctions that have been placed on Venezuela, gold smuggling that is, and money laundering,” Todd disclosed during an interview by the Department of Public Information (DPI).
“That is of concern to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Government of Guyana and of course it will be of grave concern to the people of Guyana because we see that as a move that connects what the Congressmen in the United States have been saying with the action of the Mohameds here,” he explained.
Todd confirmed that he summoned Ambassador Perez Silva to a meeting, during which the ambassador admitted that the Mohameds had applied for visas to travel to Caracas. “We can now follow a pattern that has been evolving,” the Minister said, warning that such developments could pose a threat to Guyana’s sovereignty, especially in the lead-up to the country’s regional and national elections.
Against this backdrop, he cautioned that foreign interference in electoral processes is a documented risk, noting that Venezuela could potentially use “any option available” to disrupt Guyana’s democracy. “If it is clear that the Mohameds are close to Nicolás Maduro and his regime, that can pose a serious threat to our sovereignty, and it can also affect our relations with the United States and our traditional partners,” Todd stressed.
The Foreign Minister underscored the need for vigilance, warning that any association between sanctioned individuals and foreign Governments accused of undermining democratic institutions must be treated as a national security issue. “We cannot rule out attempts by Venezuela to derail our electoral process,” he said.
On June 30, US Congressman Gimenez had also raised concerns over what he describes as Venezuela’s attempt to influence internal affairs in Guyana, specifically through a controversial figure. 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 (Office of Foreign Assets Control).”
Over the last five years, Maduro has launched a series of initiatives against Guyana in pursuit of its annexation of Essequibo including a fake election of a governor and “representatives” to the National Assembly for the region.
Subsequently, US Congresswoman Salazar has already cautioned that “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 jeopardise this vital relationship.” Venezuela currently does not have an active extradition treaty with the US. Historically, the country has considered extradition requests on a case-by-case basis, weighing factors such as reciprocity and the interests of justice. However, this approach is not governed by a formal, treaty-based framework.
President Irfaan Ali had previously explained that the US-sanctioned businessman is a risk and a threat to Guyana’s financial stability, sovereignty and diplomacy.
At least three local banks have cancelled the personal accounts of individuals on the candidates lists of WIN. Meanwhile, in addition to the US sanctions for smuggling 10,000 kilograms (kg) of gold and avoiding the payment of more than US$50 million in duty taxes Mohamed is charged locally with tax evasion for amounts totalling some $900 million.