United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, defended the responses she gave reporters recently when questioned about how US-Guyana relations may be affected should someone sanctioned by her country were to enter Parliament.
Weeks ago, she told reporters that the US government is concerned about the possibility of sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed getting elected to Parliament, even in an opposition position. She explained that if he became a member of the National Assembly, the US would not be able to interact with him in any way. So, support for any committees or initiatives would not be forthcoming.
Since then, there have been some concerns raised that the US is trying to interfere in Guyana’s elections. On Wednesday, Theriot responded to those comments.
“I was a little upset by that characterisation because I was simply stating facts. I was asked what being OFAC-sanctioned meant in terms of the US government being able to work with the individual and I simply gave the facts that have occurred in other countries,” Theriot told reporters at the sidelines of an event.
And she said, her responses are based on publicly available information. So Theriot rejected any assertion that the US government was attempting to interfere in Guyana’s elections.
“We have absolutely no interest in interfering in your elections. I was asked a question, and I gave the facts as I understand them and as they are published on the Department of the Treasury website.
“… How you run your elections is entirely up to you,” she said.
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. These sanctions were connected to gold smuggling and corruption. Former Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Thomas, was also sanctioned.
Because of these sanctions from the US body, business licences the Mohameds had were rescinded and their bank accounts were closed. In May, Azruddin announced his intention to run for President, and his party, We Invest in Nationhood, is one of six parties approved to contest the 2025 General and Regional Elections.
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