US sanctions: ‘Serious, drastic’ response protecting Guyana’s financial system

Guyana’s Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall said the “serious and drastic” measures taken by the government after US sanctions on the Mohameds and Mae Thomas were meant to protect Guyana’s financial system.

With the US sanctions instituted last week, concerns have been raised about corruption locally. Nandlall, however, maintained that Guyana’s regime remains strong.

He also emphasised that key actions were taken to maintain the status quo.

Among the actions taken were the revocation of the Mohameds’ cambio licence and a formal government request for information for the US Treasury Department to provide information which prompted the sanctions. Thomas, a former government permanent secretary, was sent on immediate leave and also resigned from her leadership position in the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

“These are serious and drastic steps taken with great promptitude and immediacy by the government of Guyana to demonstrate its commitment to fight transnational crime, financial crime and money laundering type of activities,” the Attorney General said on Tuesday night during his weekly ‘Issues in the News’ programme.

Nandlall also said Guyana has demonstrated its commitment to the Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

Earlier this month, Nandlall was part of the local team successfully defended Guyana’s ratings, leading to the adoption of a key anti-money laundering report at the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s (CFATF) 58th Plenary and Working Group Meetings in Trinidad.

And though the new sanctions are serious, the Attorney believes that Guyana’s AML/CFT ratings will not falter– more so since the government’s commitment to the regime remains sound.