GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Azruddin Mohamed, a well-known city businessman sanctioned by the United States government, officially announced his candidacy for the presidency in Guyana’s upcoming general and regional elections, slated for September 1, 2025.
The announcement came via a video message posted Monday evening on the “Team Mohamed’s” Facebook page, just a day after President Dr. Irfaan Ali revealed the date of the much-anticipated polls.
“I stand ready to raise my hand, put my shoulder to the task, and dedicate my mind and heart to building a world-class Guyana where every citizen is treated equally, not through buzzwords but through the hard work of building trust and forging genuine harmony,” Mohamed stated in the video.
Azruddin Mohamed, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading over US$50 million in taxes linked to more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold exports, also faces charges in Guyana. He is due in court on May 29, 2025, to answer a criminal charge of making a false customs declaration on a luxury Lamborghini, allegedly undervalued at US$75,300 instead of its actual price of US$695,000. A related civil case is also ongoing in the High Court.
Despite his legal troubles, Mohamed expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to lead the country.
“I remain committed to serving with diplomacy, integrity, and unfaltering dedication to the people of Guyana,” he said.
Mohamed emphasized the importance of credible elections and called for the presence of reputable international observers. “I look forward to the presence of international observers from organisations that endorse the Declaration of Principles for international election observation and are committed to genuine, impartial monitoring,” he noted.
He further urged the global community to safeguard Guyana’s democratic process: “We call on the international community to stand watch to ensure that democratic values prevail and that the voice of all Guyanese, regardless of their race, class or political affiliation, are heard, respected and empowered.”
Casting his campaign as a response to the needs of ordinary Guyanese, Mohamed criticized the government’s current approach to wealth distribution, stating, “The GY$100,000 cash grant to all Guyanese was not a fair share for citizens of an oil-rich nation.”
“Now, more than ever, we need an independent nation with people-centered leadership that can transform the lives of its citizens forever, but leadership that serves only itself will lift only a handful of people while offering crumbs from its table to the masses,” he declared.
Mohamed’s entry into the presidential race adds a new layer of complexity to the 2025 elections, as Guyana continues to grapple with the challenges and opportunities of its booming oil economy amid growing calls for transparency, equity, and reform.
