US Congressman says Azruddin Mohamed is Venezuelan President’s “puppet candidate”

United States (U.S.) Congressman, Republican Carlos A. Gimenez on Monday said Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed – sanctioned for alleged tax evasion – was being used by the Venezuelan government to erode Guyana in the September 1 general and regional elections.

“In the U.S. Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine #Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC! The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold of freedom — not a breeding ground for communist dictatorships,” he said on X formerly Twitter.

Mr Gimenez’s tweet was similar to one of several drafted by the U.S.-based lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, which has been hired by the Guyana government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those tweets were contained in a June 23, 2025 email titled “Info on sanctioned individual” that was sent to Congressman’s Director of Communications Roberto Lugones, Vice President of Continental Strategy Anthony Sola and other staff members of that firm.

The Guyana government is paying Continental Strategy LLC US$50,000 monthly for lobbying, preparing and disseminating informational materials, and engaging with U.S. policymakers, representing the office of Guyana’s Foreign Minister to increase U.S. trade and investment, help the Government address financial sector improvements and other necessary steps and enhance Guyana’s profile in the US.

Mr Mohamed, who was a licensed gold dealer up to June 2024 when he was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’s Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading US$50 million in taxes due to the Guyana government on more than 10,000 kilogrammes of raw gold, has been attracting large numbers of persons in hinterland and coastal communities. Mr Mohamed has also been charged by the Guyana Revenue Authority with tax evasion and false declaration connected to his importation of a Lamborghini luxury car.

He has since launched his political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).

Congressman Gimenez’s concern about Mr Mohamed came less than one week after President Irfaan Ali said his administration has responded to a U.S. request to block smuggled gold from Venezuela. The U.S. had reportedly told Guyana and a number of countries that they should take steps to prevent the smuggling of gold from Venezuela’s state-owned mining company as the revenues were being used to prop up the Maduro-led administration.