GEORGETOWN — In a fiery and emotional statement issued Monday, Azruddin Mohamed, presidential candidate for the WIN party (We Invest in Nationhood), accused the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government of orchestrating a foreign smear campaign to destroy his political credibility — and doing so with public funds.
At the heart of the allegation is a six-figure contract between Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and U.S.-based lobbying firm Continental Strategy. According to filings with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the firm received over US$300,000 in government payments since late 2023 — roughly US$50,000 per month — to engage U.S. lawmakers on matters concerning Guyana.
But Mohamed says those funds were not used to promote Guyana’s interests. Instead, he claims, they were used to promote lies.
“They spent our money to sell a story that I’m a Maduro puppet,” Mohamed said in a video address. “They told the world I was a threat to democracy. What kind of government does that to its own people?”
The businessman and political newcomer grew visibly emotional as he defended his patriotism, especially in light of his Essequibo roots.
“My father was born in Essequibo. I will never betray the soil my family is rooted in,” he said. “I reject Venezuela’s claim. I have always stood for Guyana’s sovereignty. Always.”
He stopped short of naming who in government authorized the lobbying deal, but said the paper trail is “clear and damning.” Mohamed insists this is not diplomacy — it’s political warfare, and it’s personal.
“This isn’t about foreign policy,” he said. “This is the PPP using the United States to discredit and endanger me. They’ve crossed a line.”
Mohamed said he is consulting with attorneys to explore both civil and criminal legal options, including whether the campaign violates Guyanese or international law. He’s also looking at raising the matter diplomatically, to call out what he described as an abuse of lobbying and foreign influence.
“This isn’t just dirty politics. It’s dangerous,” he said, pointing to what he believes is a pattern of state-backed attacks against opposition figures. “If they can use state media and foreign contractors to come after me, they can come after any citizen.”
The PPP has not yet issued a public response to the allegations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also remained silent on the matter.
Mohamed’s accusations come just two months before Guyanese voters head to the polls. He is using the moment to make his case not only as a victim of political sabotage, but as a symbol of what he says is a broader fight for democracy and fairness.
“September 1 is our chance to choose a new path,” he said. “A path where citizens are defended — not defamed — by their own government.”
As of press time, Continental Strategy had not responded to requests for comment.
The statement has sent shockwaves across the political landscape, with supporters calling it brave and opponents accusing Mohamed of politicizing foreign affairs. But whatever the truth behind the payments and the lobbying campaign, one thing is certain: Guyana’s 2025 election just got even more personal.
