Alleged gold smuggling is possible link between Azruddin Mohamed and Venezuela- Jagdeo

Last Updated on Friday, 4 July 2025, 13:01 by Writer

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said alleged gold smuggling might be the reason a government-hired United States (US) lobbying firm linked rival politician Azruddin Mohamed with Venezuela.

“The connection might be through the illegal export of Venezuelan gold. That’s all I am going to say on the matter,” he told a news conference.

He said there was a long-standing issue of Venezuela bypassing sanctions through the smuggling of gold through Guyana. He alleged that Venezuelan generals had been complicit with persons in Guyana in the past.

Mr Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for allegedly evading more than US$50 million in taxes payable to the Guyana government on the export of more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold, is on record as saying that “I don’t know about that” when he was asked to respond to the U.S. allegations. He had also reaffirmed his commitment to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mr Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s 2nd Vice President but regarded as the most influential and powerful government politician in many circles, hoped that the Guyana government would renew the contract with Continental Strategy if it is not already done so.

Insisting that the Guyana government gave no directive to Continental Strategy LLC to target Mr Mohammed, Mr Jagdeo said while American lawmakers would pay attention to lobbyists, they also have their own staff who provide intelligence briefings. “There was no direction from the government of Guyana to link Maduro to Azruddin Mohamed but if our lobbyists, given their vast network in the United States of America, can create that link and if a Congressman has now added his name to a Tweet, trust me there is a connection,” he said. “Trust me! If they say there is a connection, there has to be a connection. People don’t put their career on the line,” he said.

U.S. Republican House of Representatives members Carlos A. Giménez and María Elvira Salazar had earlier this week issued two separate tweets, stating that “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,” and “We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana. As a strategic ally of the United States, Guyana deserves leaders who respect democratic values. Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardize this vital relationship.”

He said Continental Strategy, which has “enormous contacts and access to information” in the U.S. had to “deal with everything related to Venezuela”. Mr Jagdeo also said the Nicolas Maduro administration has been using paid and unpaid means to influence US policymakers about Caracas’ claim to the Essequibo Region. “We believe that the lobbying firm, because of their connection in the US government and their presence, this is a major part to help to fight off Venezuela’s threat. They see more than we have seen. They don’t share everything with us,” he said.

The Guyana Vice President was wary that his country could lose US support against Venezuela’s border claim to the Essequibo Region because both Mr Mohamed and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been sanctioned.

Mr Jagdeo on Friday said his government was not enquiring whether the staff of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) or the Guyana Police Force had any complicity in the alleged tax evasion on gold exports, and the granting of gun licenses and award of contracts as cited by OFAC at this time. He said he was wary of Mr Mohamed crying victimisation because he is a candidate in the September 1 general and regional elections. “The law will be enforced in full after the elections,” Mr Jagdeo said, stressing that he would have to pay the taxes after the polls.

The U.S.-sanctioned individuals Azruddin Mohamed, his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Mae Thomas.