US warns Guyana: Sanctioned presidential candidate could strain relations
Key Points(5)
- Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has raised alarm over the political aspirations of Azruddin Mohamed, a presidential candidate currently under U.S.
- government sanctions.
- Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event today, Ambassador Theriot said Mohamed’s potential election to the National Assembly—or even the government—could force Washington to reconsider how it engages with Guyana.
- Department of Treasury, OFAC-sanctioned individual has the potential to become a member of government, that is problematic in multiple ways,” the ambassador said.
- “If that person sits on a committee, for example, we would have to ensure that any U.S.
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has raised alarm over the political aspirations of Azruddin Mohamed, a presidential candidate currently under U.S. government sanctions.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event today, Ambassador Theriot said Mohamed’s potential election to the National Assembly—or even the government—could force Washington to reconsider how it engages with Guyana.
“We are concerned. Anytime a U.S. Department of Treasury, OFAC-sanctioned individual has the potential to become a member of government, that is problematic in multiple ways,” the ambassador said. “If that person sits on a committee, for example, we would have to ensure that any U.S. engagement with that committee excludes him.”
Mohamed, along with his father and their companies, was sanctioned by the U.S. last year over allegations of tax evasion and under-declaration of gold. Despite this, he recently launched the “We Invest in Nationhood” (WIN) party and qualified to contest Guyana’s upcoming elections.
Until now, the U.S. government had remained publicly quiet on the Mohameds' sanctions, even as local officials—such as Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo—maintained that Washington and Georgetown were actively sharing information on the matter.
The U.S. and Guyana currently enjoy wide-ranging cooperation on defense, security, and trade. But Ambassador Theriot said Mohamed’s entry into national politics could threaten that dynamic—not just diplomatically, but economically.
“What concerns me more is the impact on private investment,” she added. “When a sanctioned individual becomes a government official, U.S. companies often reassess their risk exposure. We’ve seen this in Afghanistan and elsewhere, where firms begin to de-risk or even sever ties.”
The ambassador emphasized that the upcoming elections are “extremely important” for both Guyana and the United States, especially with regard to maintaining peace and stability in the region. The U.S. Embassy will be part of the international observer mission for the vote.
In the meantime, Mohamed’s WIN party has been actively rallying support across the country.
