President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday strongly denied allegations that his administration used state resources to attack political opponents through a U.S.-based lobbying firm, even as official documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice show a contract between the firm and the Guyana government.
“I don’t understand what you are saying about a lobbying firm being hired. The government has hired no lobbying firm to target anyone, so the premise of your question is wrong and you need to come again, and you need to come again with facts,” Ali told reporters in response to questions about the firm, Continental Strategy LLC, which is being paid US$50,000 per month under a contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to U.S. filings, the firm’s six-month agreement includes lobbying activities on behalf of the Guyana government. The firm also disclosed email exchanges with a U.S. Congressional office, including “draft tweets” targeting sanctioned businessman and presidential hopeful Azruddin Mohamed. The five suggested posts allege links between Mohamed and the Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro.
The controversy intensified this week as U.S. lawmakers weighed in. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar stated on X (formerly Twitter) that “individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardize” the relationship between the U.S. and Guyana. Her comments echoed concerns from fellow Republican Congressman Carlos Gimenez, who accused the Maduro regime of attempting to interfere in Guyanese politics through “pro-Maduro puppet candidate” Mohamed.
Mohamed, who is expected to run against Ali in upcoming elections, rejected the allegations and accused the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of orchestrating a smear campaign.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I reject Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo. I stand firmly for Guyana’s sovereignty. I always have and always will,” Mohamed said in a statement, adding that he is consulting with legal counsel about potential civil and criminal action against the government for allegedly financing defamatory content through a foreign agent.
Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed were sanctioned by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading US$50 million in taxes related to gold exports. Despite this, Mohamed maintains that the government’s actions are politically motivated and designed to discredit him ahead of Nomination Day on July 14.
President Ali stood by the decision to employ the U.S. firm, saying it was necessary in light of Venezuela’s continued threat to Guyana’s sovereignty. However, he rejected claims that the firm was used to attack Mohamed specifically.
“We have the capability that is necessary with our allies… to ensure that at the diplomatic level our message, our communication is intact,” Ali said, before turning his focus directly on Mohamed. “This is no saint we are talking about, this is a man that is dangerous to our society.”
Ali reiterated that the PPP/C has not and will not use public resources to run its election campaign. “Our campaign is run by the People’s Progressive Party with all resources provided by the people of Guyana, and we are strong and will defeat any force that is ahead of us,” he said.
In a live Facebook broadcast earlier in the day, Ali doubled down, labeling Mohamed a national security threat. “Is Azruddin Mohamed a threat to the defense of this border against Venezuela? Yes,” he said. “Because our key ally has identified him to the extent that he is sanctioned by them.”
The controversy comes amid heightened political tension as the country prepares for general elections.
