GEORGETOWN — Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has put the onus squarely on the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force to decide when prominent businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed will be questioned over his visits to the Venezuelan Embassy; but he made it clear that this is no free pass.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday at Freedom House, Jagdeo said the security forces must handle the matter in keeping with the government’s strict policy against any engagement that could undermine Guyana’s sovereignty.
“That doesn’t mean they get off freely. They need to answer now,” he declared. Jagdeo confirmed that fresh video evidence shows Nazar at the Embassy just weeks ago, the reason, he said, the issue is surfacing now.
“There may have been several visits before,” he added. The revelation comes amid the political tremors caused by U.S. Congressman Carlos Gimenez’s tweets linking Nazar’s son, Azruddin Mohamed, to the Nicolás Maduro regime. Jagdeo suggested Washington had more information than Georgetown when those posts were made.
“They clearly knew something was going on,” he said.He also dismissed Nazar’s claim that he visited the Embassy merely to apply for a visa, calling it “an answer we don’t believe.” Jagdeo said that while he cannot handle the matter directly, the security forces have it in hand.
Then, in a moment that electrified the room, the Vice President issued a public dare: “Prove me a liar now. I am willing to stake my entire political career on the fact that he did go to the Venezuelan Embassy.”
The video evidence, in which the Vice President speaks of has not been made public. With the highest levels of government demanding answers, all eyes are on the police, the army, and the Mohameds — and on whether this high-stakes challenge will be met with a response or silence.
