Latest update June 1st, 2026 12:37 AM
Govt. will not put Guyana at risk to do business with Mohameds—VP Jagdeo says
Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday stated that the government will not risk the future of the citizenry and face potential consequences by associating with U.S- sanctioned Guyanese businessmen Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed.
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
His response follows recent statements made by Nazar Mohamed, that senior figures within the People’s Progressive Party government have deliberately misrepresented the imposed U.S. sanctions to cripple his business. Last year, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Guyanese Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed over allegations of tax evasion and on Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Mae Thomas, for allegedly misusing her position to offer benefits—such as government contracts—to the Mohameds.
On Tuesday, Mohamed said that members of the PPP-administration are misrepresenting the imposed U.S. sanctions which he says has led to a systematic effort to affect their businesses. He added, “What I want to tell you, because I’ve seen, read and heard from people, some very senior people within the political structure, who have been deliberately misrepresenting what the sanction is about, ostracizing us.”
Mohamed had highlighted his long-time support for the PPP but stressed that there is now a lot of hostility from the party towards his family.
However, the Vice President at his press conference stressed, “So we are never going to put the interest of a single individual particularly if you are accused of doing something so illegal that you bring sanctions from the United States government down on your own head, we must put the country at risk.”
U.S.-sanctioned businessmen, Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed (business with Mohameds)
The businessman had detailed the mounting challenges faced by his companies, particularly the refusal to renew his cabotage permission, and issues with his mining licence. Jagdeo refuted Shell Mohamed claim that only U.S companies will face sanctions if they continue to work with the Mohameds in light of the sanctions.
“In addition to financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions and activities with the sanction entities and individual may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action…the prohibition includes the making of any contribution or provision of funds goods and services by, or to the benefit of any designated person…” the Vice President read from the U.S sanctions underscoring that any person can face consequences as a result of engaging with the Mohameds.
To this end, he underscored that the government would have put the entire country’s financial institution at risk, if they had not revoked the Mohameds Cambio licence. “Now clearly, Mr. Mohamed believes falsely so that out of some perceived loyalty to him and Azruddin Mohamed, we will put at risk the future and the interest of all the people of this country for them…” Jagdeo noted.
(Govt. will not put Guyana at risk to do business with Mohameds—VP Jagdeo says)
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