GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – A war of words has erupted over whether presidential hopeful Azruddin Mohamed and his family have been making quiet trips to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown—an accusation Mohamed insists is pure fiction.
The political drama exploded Tuesday night when Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo told a public meeting in Mahaica that there was “evidence” of Mohamed visiting the embassy, along with reports of visa applications to Venezuela. Jagdeo hinted the matter could go far deeper than a simple travel request.
Earlier that same day, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd revealed he had summoned Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, for answers. Todd called the situation a “serious concern,” especially in light of Venezuela’s long-standing threats to Guyana’s sovereignty and fresh warnings from U.S. lawmakers about alleged links between the Mohameds, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and smuggling activities.
The Mohameds have repeatedly denied such links. In a post on his Team Mohamed’s Facebook page, Azruddin categorically rejected the embassy claim, insisting he never set foot there and never applied for a visa.
Todd is not brushing the matter aside. With Guyana’s September 1 general and regional elections weeks away, he warned: “We cannot rule out any attempt by Venezuela to interfere in our elections.”
The stakes are high. Mohamed, sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury, has launched his own political party, the WIN Party, and is vying for the presidency. Todd says if the alleged visits are confirmed, they would fit a “pattern” that mirrors international concerns about Venezuela’s influence.
For years, Venezuela has carried out what Todd describes as “unfriendly acts” against Guyana—some amounting to outright aggression—as part of a strategy to undermine the country’s territorial integrity. These tensions are playing out as the International Court of Justice considers the final merits of Guyana’s case to uphold the 1899 Arbitral Award, which sets the border between the two countries. Venezuela, after boycotting earlier stages, recently rejoined the hearings.
While Jagdeo and Todd say the government will monitor the situation closely, Mohamed is standing his ground, framing the allegations as politically motivated. And with the elections fast approaching, this battle over an alleged embassy connection is shaping up to be one of the most explosive campaign-season confrontations yet.
