US Ambassador Clarifies Remarks on Sanctioned Candidates Amid Election Tensions
By HGP Nightly News |
Georgetown, Guyana – Amid rising political temperatures ahead of Guyana’s September 1 general elections, United States Ambassador Nicole Theriot has moved to clarify remarks that sparked intense public debate about the role of sanctioned individuals in public office.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the ambassador addressed what she described as “mischaracterizations” of her earlier comments regarding the potential impact on US-Guyana relations if a US-sanctioned individual were to enter the National Assembly.
“I was asked what being OFAC-sanctioned meant in terms of the U.S. government working with an individual,” she said. “I simply gave the facts… based on what has happened in other countries. These are public and factual policies from the U.S. Department of Treasury.”
Theriot emphasized that her comments were not aimed at any specific individual or political party. Instead, they were meant to clarify how the U.S. typically engages with OFAC-sanctioned officials globally, not to interfere in Guyana’s electoral process.
No Interference, Says U.S.
Amid concerns of foreign interference, the ambassador was firm:
“We have absolutely no interest in interfering in your elections. This is a sovereign country. You run your elections as you see fit.”
Her remarks were made initially during a media engagement and touched on the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the constraints placed on diplomatic and governmental interactions with individuals sanctioned under U.S. law.
The timing of the initial statement—less than a month before the national elections—was viewed by some political figures as ill-timed or overreaching, given the sensitivity of the electoral environment. Critics questioned whether the ambassador’s words were meant to influence public perception or cast doubt on specific candidates.
However, Ambassador Theriot rejected that narrative:
“I have no interest or intention of interfering in the Government of Guyana’s election. I was stating publicly available facts.”
Context: Sanctions and Sovereignty
Her original comments referenced past situations in other countries where sanctioned individuals were elected or appointed to high office, resulting in limited engagement with U.S. officials and institutions.
She reiterated that the policies are not unique to Guyana but are standard U.S. foreign policy positions based on security and compliance measures tied to Treasury Department regulations.
While some political stakeholders have welcomed the clarification, others maintain that any foreign commentary so close to an election risks stirring controversy, especially in a nation with a history of contentious political contests.
As Guyana heads into a crucial vote, Ambassador Theriot’s remarks—and the response to them—highlight the delicate balance between diplomatic transparency and political neutrality in an era of growing global scrutiny.
