Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd has summoned Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, after learning that well-known local businessmen Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin, have been making frequent visits to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown.
Minister Todd made the disclosure during an interview on Tuesday while providing an update on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) border case between Guyana and Venezuela. He described the matter as “a serious concern” given Caracas’ ongoing threats to Guyana’s sovereignty and recent statements by members of the United States Congress linking the Mohameds to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and alleged smuggling activities.
Todd said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs views the situation as particularly troubling in the context of the upcoming general elections.
“We cannot rule out any attempt by Venezuela to interfere in our elections,” he warned.
Azruddin, sanctioned by the U.S Dept. of Treasury, has formed his political party – We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) – and will be contesting the September 1st elections.
“If the Mohameds are close to Maduro and his regime, it is a threat to our sovereignty and could affect our relations with the US and other partners.”
Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on December 19, 2024, met with His Excellency Mr. Carlos Amador Perez Silva, Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Guyana.
According to Todd, Ambassador Perez Silva confirmed during their meeting that the Mohameds had visited the embassy to apply for visas to travel to Caracas. However, Todd said the frequency of these visits fits a “pattern” that aligns with concerns raised internationally.
The Foreign Minister pointed to a series of what he termed “unfriendly acts” by Venezuela in recent years—some amounting to acts of aggression—as part of an evolving strategy to undermine Guyana’s territorial integrity.
The ICJ is currently considering the substantive merits of Guyana’s case to confirm the 1899 Arbitral Award as a full, final, and perfect settlement of the border dispute. Venezuela recently rejoined the proceedings after boycotting earlier stages, a move Guyana has publicly welcomed.
Todd emphasised that while Guyana remains committed to good neighbourly relations, the Government is closely monitoring any activity that could compromise its sovereignty or democratic processes.
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