President Irfaan Ali of Guyana Denies Using US Firm to Target Political Opponents

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali Tuesday vehemently denied the use of government resources to attack his political opponents through a US-based lobbying firm employed by his administration

“I don’t understand what you are saying about a lobbying firm being hired, the government has hired no lobbying firm to target anyone, so the premise of your question is wrong and you need to come again, and you need to come again with facts,”  Ali told reporters, who questioned him about the US firm contracted at a fee of US$50,000 a month.

The lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC, in its filing with the US Justice Department detailed its work for the Guyana government as a foreign agent. The firm also included its six-month contract which was signed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Guyana government.

In addition, the lobbying firm filed an email exchange between its founding partner and the office of a US Congressman with “draft tweets” for use by the office.

The five “draft tweets” that the lobbying firm shared all targeted sanctioned businessman and Presidential candidate, Azruddin Mohamed, alleging that he is linked to the Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela.

On Tuesday, United States Congresswoman, María Elvira Salazar , in a statement posted on X, formerly twitter,  said that “individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardize” the important Guyana-US relations.

“We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana. As a strategic ally of the United States, Guyana deserves leaders who respect democratic values,”  she said, adding “individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardize this vital relationship”.

Her post came less than a day after another US legislator, Republican Congressman, Carlos Gimenez, raised concerns over what he describes as Venezuela’s attempt to influence internal affairs in Guyana, specifically through a controversial figure.

“In the US Congress we are alarmed by the regime in Venezuela’s attempt to undermine Guyana through its pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed, who is sanctioned by OFAC,”  he wrote also on X.

But Mohamed has dismissed Gimenez’s statement and is blaming the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of being behind the allegations.

“Let me be absolutely clear: I reject Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo. I stand firmly for Guyana’s sovereignty. I always have and always will,” Mohamed said in a statement, threatening to take legal action against the ruling administration for hiring the US lobbying firm to draft several posts on X.

“I am currently in consultation with my legal team about pursuing civil and criminal action against the Government of Guyana for issuing and financing these false claims through a registered foreign agent,” he said, adding that he is also exploring diplomatic channels to ensure this abuse is exposed globally.

Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed were sanctioned by the U.S. Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading US$50 million in taxes to the Guyana government on more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold exports.

But Ali told reporters that the story about the lobbying firm and its work were “made up”, although the firm has filed all of its information including its contract with the Guyana Government and email exchanges with the Congressman’s office with the US Justice Department.

“Don’t come with your make up stories for your own political narrative that your news agency is geared towards”, he told one of the journalists.

Ali insisted that the government had employed the services of the US lobbying firm because

Venezuela remains a threat.

“We have the capability that is necessary with our allies to keep our allies informed and to work with us to ensure that at the diplomatic level our message our communication is intact,”  Ali said, adding also that “Mohamed is no saint.

“Azruddin Mohamed has been accused by the US government and has been sanctioned by the US Government. Azruddin Mohamed has defrauded Guyana in the documents that the US Government has of US$50 million in the last couple years alone.

“This is no saint we are talking about, this is a man that is dangerous to our society. He has defrauded the state, he is sanctioned by the United States, he is sanctioned by OFAC, and when you are sanctioned by OFAC, you are in breach in major international laws and treaties, that is who Azruddin Mohamed is”, Ali said.

President Ali insisted that his ruling PPP/C government has not used government resources to deal with its political opponents.

“The People’s Progressive Party does not need state resources to run our campaign. We do not need any state resources to run our campaign. Our campaign is run by the People’s Progressive Party with all resources provided by the people of Guyana and we are strong and will defeat any force that is a head of us,” he told reporters.

Earlier on his live Facebook broadcast, President Ali reiterated that Mohamed poses a threat to Guyana’s national security and relationship with the US.

“Our greatest threat to our national security is Venezuela. Is Azruddin Mohamed a threat to the defense of this border against Venezuela? Yes, because our key ally has identified him to the extent that he is sanctioned by them,” he added.

Mohamed is expected to challenge Ali and the nominee of the main opposition parties, for the position of head of state during the elections. Nomination Day is July 14.