U.S. assures non-interference in Guyana’s polls even after it sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed

Last Updated on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 16:35 by Writer

United States (U.S.) Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot on Wednesday rejected criticisms in some circles that her country was attempting to influence the outcome of Guyana’s elections slated for September 1 by pointing out the political and business implications of sanctioned Guyanese businessman, Azruddin Mohamed being elected to political office.

Responding directly to concerns in some quarters that the U.S. was trying to determine who should participate in the elections of a sovereign country, she said that was not the case. “We have absolutely no interest in interfering in your elections. I was asked the question, I gave the facts as I understand them as they are published on our Department of Treasury website.

“I have no interest or intention of interfering in the Government of Guyana’s elections. This is a sovereign country. You run your elections as you see fit,” she said.

“I was a little bit upset by that characterisation simply because I was stating facts,” she said, recalling that she was asked last month what the sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) meant for working with such an individual. “I was stating facts.”

Ms Theriot said she had pointed out what had happened in other countries where OFAC-sanctioned persons had become a member of the government and how the U.S. government had adjusted working with that government.

She said the U.S. has been assisting Guyana with its elections at the request of Guyanese authorities.

On July 23, 2025, the U.S. Ambassador had told reporters that the election of an OFAC-sanctioned person to the executive or opposition could impact on the way the U.S. government relates to, for instance, working with a committee of which such a person is a member. She also said that the election of a sanctioned person to government (government or opposition) could see U.S. private sector businesses taking steps to de-risk or even cut ties with such a country.

Mr Mohamed and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, were sanctioned in June 2024 for allegedly evading US$50 million in taxes payable to the Guyana government on the export of more than 10,000 kilograms of gold. Ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic member Mae Thomas was also sanctioned in connection with her alleged role in issuing gun licences and contracts while she was a Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador said the U.S. was not engaged with the local banking sector about the implications for persons who are associated with the Azruddin Mohamed-led We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party. “The decision by the banks was entirely independent. We were not consulted; we were not asked. We have no opinion on the matter. Banks here make their own decisions,” she said.

She said the OFAC sanctions pertain “solely” to what happens in the U.S.

Ms Theriot said maybe there were discussions between the banks here and their correspondent banks in the U.S., but she had nothing to do with that.

At least three commercial banks have cancelled the accounts of WIN candidates. Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) explicitly stated the reason was their association with an OFAC sanctioned person. DBL said it needed to mitigate risk and comply with international financial rules. The Guyana Association of Banks (GAB), while not commenting on the specific decisions by its member banks or WIN’s subsequent retaliatory boycott calls, cited the need for all licensed commercial banks here to operate within a framework of national laws and international standards.

The GAB said banks are guided by strict regulatory obligations, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) requirements, as well as global risk management practices. “These standards are critical to preserving financial system integrity, protecting depositors, and ensuring continued access to international financial markets, GABI added.

GABI says it remains committed to supporting a strong, inclusive, and compliant banking sector that serves the best interests of the Guyanese people and economy.

The association thanked the public for its “continued confidence in the banking system and reaffirm our dedication to professionalism, transparency, and national development”.