Gov’t did not tell US lobby firm to raise concerns about Azruddin Mohamed – Jagdeo

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said the Government of Guyana did not instruct a United States lobby firm to raise concerns about businessman Azruddin Mohamed with US officials.

Instead, he clarified that the firm was hired to help fight Venezuela’s threats and aggressions.

“We don’t tell the lobbyists what to do on a daily basis.

“… There was nobody from the government who told them this,” Jagdeo said during a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) press conference.

The Vice President was quizzed about the government’s hiring of a US lobbying firm, Continental Strategy, after tweets from US congresspersons raised concerns about sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed’s candidacy in the upcoming elections.

Documents filed by the company show that the Guyana government hired the firm for federal engagements and advocacy in America.

Jagdeo explained that the firm was hired to up engagements with US lawmakers, as the US is a key ally for Guyana, particularly in the defense of the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

He said the firm’s “connections and presence” can help to fight off the Venezuelan threat. And he believes the firm has been doing just that.

Jagdeo said that if the US congresspersons made tweets about Mr. Mohamed, it is not only because of any lobbying efforts. He said those officials get intelligence briefings and have staff doing research.

And if a link was made between Mr. Mohamed and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, it is likely to be accurate.

“… if they can create that link and if a congressman has added his name to such a tweet, then trust me, the congressman, there is a connection. The connection might be through the illegal export of Venezuelan gold,” Jagdeo said.

Following the first tweet made by US Congressman Carlos Gimenez 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.