Using “political persecution” to hide from accountability

Recently in the debate for Budget 2026, Minister Ashni Singh read from an article in a globally-renowned newspaper a story of Pablo Escobar, and he asked citizens to reflect if the story appears to be playing out almost exactly in Guyana today. There are several examples of criminals in Latin America and the Caribbean that, despite their status as dangerous criminals, smugglers, drug lords and murderers, are often celebrated in their countries and even outside of their countries. Figures like “El Chapo”, Pablo Escobar, Griselda Blanco, and Christopher “Dudus” Coke have become modern-day folk heroes in Latin America and the Caribbean, blurring the lines between criminality and heroism. They use a small part of their ill-gotten, blood-soaked money to support a few “charitable” activities and then hide their criminality under the umbrella of “political persecution”.
The stories that Minister Ashni Singh urged Guyanese to reflect on come to mind because at this very moment, the allegations of “political persecution” are ringing out loudly and incessantly in Guyana. Many persons are asking if cases such as Pablo Escobar’s might be surfacing in Guyana. One day, hopefully soon, the courts in Guyana and in Miami will tell us if Guyana also has a story that can be archived with “El Chapo”, Pablo Escobar and “Dudus”.
On Monday, Magistrate Judy Latchman in a Georgetown court had to issue an arrest warrant for Azruddin Mohamed, the Leader of the Opposition. It is ironic that the man who proclaims each day very loudly that his platform is fighting against corruption is himself in trouble with the law. His only defence, thus far, has been that he is a victim of political persecution. In his latest confrontation with the law, Azruddin Mohamed continued showing up for his court case late. At 09:00h on Monday with the Magistrate, the prosecution team, and the defence team in court, Azruddin Mohamed was not present. He showed up, at least, more than 30 minutes late, and the Magistrate issued an arrest warrant after reminding the defence that Azruddin Mohamed has made it a habit of showing up late. The warrant was reversed a few hours later.
This is only the latest example of Azruddin Mohamed disrespecting authorities. He continues to behave as if he is above the law. Showing up to court on time is part of the condition for putting a defendant on bail. If this were any other citizen on bail, the arrest warrant would have been immediate, and there would be no reversal. The naysayers who have been standing with Azruddin Mohamed are holding their noses because they know that Azruddin Mohamed’s total disregard for law enforcement is a stench so foul that it suffocates the nation.
Yet Azruddin Mohamed and the anti-Government, anti-PPP naysayers keep incessantly howling that this is the latest example of political persecution. They keep bawling out that his arrest was another example of President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo interfering with law enforcement and the judiciary. Who was responsible for Azruddin Mohamed being late? He is an adult; he is the Leader of the Opposition; reporting to court on time is wholly his responsibility. The first excuse that surfaced was that he was not well. Then later that his car had a flat, and then, even later, that somehow the PPP had people slashing his tyre. This is a man with dozens of vehicles who had previously, on multiple occasions, arrived at Parliament in a Lamborghini, but for court he had no vehicle to bring him to face the Magistrate.
President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo had nothing to do with Azruddin Mohamed being late and raising the ire of Magistrate Judy Latchman. But Azruddin Mohamed played the victim, and the naysayers embraced him as a victim of the Government’s persecution. None of the naysayers will allow himself or herself to reflect and see the absurdity of the claim.
The evidence that the Americans have accumulated for more than a decade now and that they used to sanction, indict and request extradition of Azruddin Mohamed and his father is also presented by the Mohameds as further proof that the Mohameds’ legal troubles with serious criminal charges are the direct result of them being targeted by President Irfaan Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo. Reasonable people can readily decipher the truth. Azruddin Mohamed and his father were engaged in activities that the US Government views as criminal and that the US Government has been monitoring for more than 10 years now. But it is convenient for Azruddin Mohamed to cuddle himself with the blanket of political persecution, rather than defending himself in court.
When the Police raided his business place and accumulated evidence that the Mohameds continued to operate an unlicensed cambio, how could this be political persecution? It was not President Irfaan Ali or VP Bharrat Jagdeo who was running an illegal cambio; it was the Mohameds, as alleged by the Police. Azruddin Mohamed’s defence was that the Police raid on his business and the allegations that he was operating an illegal cambio represent another example of political persecution. He cited evidence that there were people on America Street in Georgetown doing illegal money exchange. As the man who professes himself and who reminds all and sundry that he is the Leader of the Opposition in Guyana, Azruddin Mohamed’s defence is that it should be acceptable for him or anyone else to operate an illegal cambio because there are ordinary citizens in the streets of Georgetown doing money exchange.
For people like “El Chapo”, “Dudus” and Pablo Escobar, they are still seen in their countries as heroes. There are songs that glorify them. In part it has to do with them taking a small part of their criminal-based wealth in building homes and playgrounds and providing charities. Their glorification hid their heinous crimes. Could we have such a story playing out in Guyana?