U.S.-Sanctioned PPP Member May Thus Avoid Scrutiny While Jagdeo Focuses Fire on Presidential Candidate Azruddin Mohamed
Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – Despite being sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged corruption, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member and former Permanent Secretary May Thus appears to be getting a free pass from the ruling administration.
The U.S. sanctions accuse Thus of misusing her position within the Ministry of Home Affairs to award government contracts, issue firearm licenses, and grant other official favors in exchange for cash and lavish gifts. These favors were allegedly channeled toward Azruddin Mohamed’s enterprise, linking both individuals in a wide-reaching corruption probe.
Yet, during a press briefing on Thursday, PPP General Secretary and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo remained laser-focused on Mohamed, making no mention of May Thus, her alleged misconduct, or her future with the party.
“The police have to act on their own… I don’t need any report from the police or the GRA about him [Mohamed],” Jagdeo said, before doubling down: “After the elections, he’ll have to pay his taxes.”
Jagdeo framed Mohamed’s campaign as being centered on “playing the victim”, saying the businessman-turned-politician has “nothing to offer the country except giving out a little money.”
When asked about investigations into the allegations cited by the U.S. government—including the misuse of state offices for private gain—Jagdeo admitted he had stopped inquiring with both the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Revenue Authority, claiming it’s now a matter for them to act independently.
Critics have noted the double standard in how the administration treats individuals cited in the same U.S. sanctions report: Mohamed is publicly vilified, while Thus remains untouched and unmentioned.
OFAC’s report clearly states that May Thus, while serving as a senior government official, leveraged her role to benefit Mohamed’s enterprise with contractual approvals, firearm permits, and passport processing, allegedly in exchange for bribes.
With the September 1 general and regional elections drawing closer, the opposition and civil society groups are expected to intensify calls for accountability and transparency, especially where U.S. foreign sanctions intersect with Guyana’s domestic governance.
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