US Congresswoman says sanctioned individuals mustn’t undermine Guyana’s democracy

Maria Elvira Salazar, a United States congresswoman from Florida, on Tuesday expressed concern about attempts to undermine democracy in Guyana.

“As a strategic ally of the United States, Guyana deserves leaders who respect democratic values. Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardize this vital relationship,” she said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

On Monday, Congressman Carlos Gimenez said the U.S. Congress is alarmed about sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed’s candidacy in the upcoming elections. Gimenez said the US Congress believes that Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro is attempting to undermine Guyana through Mohamed.

Following the tweet made by the congressman on Monday, Mr. Mohamed rejected the “pro-Maduro” label. In a statement on the Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, Mohamed said he has been falsely portrayed as an agent of the Maduro regime and said he stands firmly for Guyana’s sovereignty.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, on June 11, 2024 announced the imposition of sanctions against the Mohamed’s family, specifically targeting Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, and their businesses, namely Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing.