标签： Guyana

Guyana’s Minister of Trade, Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has publicly refuted corruption allegations regarding her acquisition of a Florida property, asserting that the purchase was legitimately financed through mortgage arrangements and rental income. The allegations were initially raised by Azruddin Mohamed, the United States-sanctioned leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.

In a detailed Facebook post on Tuesday, Rodrigues acknowledged ownership of one Florida property at 8601 NW 46th Ct. Lauderhill through a company in which she holds shares, while dismissing claims of owning three additional properties. She presented an annual tax and interest statement indicating an outstanding mortgage principal of US$378,000 as of December 31, 2024, though she did not confirm Mohamed’s claim that the property was purchased for US$540,000 in March 2024.

The minister explained that the property was acquired with financing from AD Mortgage, a U.S. financial institution, and is currently rented out with the income servicing the mortgage obligations. Rodrigues emphasized that all her overseas assets have been properly declared to Guyana’s Integrity Commission, and she complies with enhanced banking requirements as a Politically Exposed Person.

The political opposition, including the 12-seat APNU coalition and the 16-seat WIN party, has seized on the allegations, demanding Rodrigues’ resignation and independent investigations into ministers’ wealth accumulation. WIN specifically questioned the effectiveness of anti-money laundering laws when senior officials can acquire luxury properties without consequence.

Rodrigues countered that Mohamed’s allegations represent a ‘desperate narrative’ and highlighted the irony of corruption accusations coming from someone facing extradition proceedings to the United States for alleged mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to gold trading activities.

The minister also addressed additional properties mentioned by Mohamed, denying ownership of a residence at 946 Herstelling and clarifying that her partner owns the land dating to 2016. Similarly, she refuted claims of owning a Georgetown gas station, explaining that her partner operates the business on property owned by Shell Antilles and Guianas Limited since 1962.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended Guyanese President Irfaan Ali for his assertive leadership in regional security matters during their Tuesday morning discussion. The high-level conversation, confirmed by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, highlighted Guyana’s expanding role as a crucial security partner in the Western Hemisphere.

The dialogue occurred against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, specifically referencing recent US military operations in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro on narco-terrorism charges. Secretary Rubio utilized the opportunity to reinforce Washington’s commitment to enhancing security collaboration with Guyana, focusing particularly on combating transnational criminal networks, illicit narcotics trafficking, and firearms smuggling that threaten regional stability.

Both leaders emphasized the critical need for continued cooperation in disrupting foreign terrorist organizations while simultaneously strengthening law enforcement capabilities and border security infrastructure. President Ali received reassurances regarding US support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—a pointed reference to ongoing Venezuelan claims over Guyana’s Essequibo Region.

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed the discussions extended to recent Venezuelan developments and broader hemispheric concerns. President Ali acknowledged US leadership under President Trump and Secretary Rubio, reiterating Guyana’s unwavering commitment to democratic principles, rule of law, and free elections. The Guyanese leader further emphasized his nation’s dedication to collaborative efforts against transnational crimes including drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and narco-terrorism.

The diplomatic exchange builds upon the expanded military cooperation agreement signed between the two nations in December 2025, though specific details remain classified. Facing persistent Venezuelan territorial claims, Guyana has strategically strengthened defense partnerships with the United States, Britain, and France as protective measures against potential military aggression.

Guyana has entered into substantive diplomatic negotiations with the United States concerning the potential acceptance of third-country nationals currently residing in American territory, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud confirmed on Monday, January 5, 2026.

The South American nation is actively developing a framework of understanding aligned with its national priorities while supporting U.S. objectives regarding migration management. “Guyana and the USA have been in productive discussions on a framework of understanding which is consistent with our national priorities and needs and supportive of the USA objectives,” Persaud stated in an exclusive interview with Demerara Waves Online News.

This development follows similar agreements recently confirmed by Caribbean neighbors Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. The U.S. initiative, first proposed to Caribbean nations and other allied countries in early 2025, seeks international cooperation in addressing complex migration scenarios where individuals cannot be returned to their countries of origin.

According to Caribbean Media Corporation reports, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt announced his country’s formal agreement with the U.S., emphasizing stringent security provisions. “In our discussions with the State Department there has been careful deliberation of the need to avoid receiving violent individuals or individuals who will compromise the security of Dominica,” Skerritt clarified during a press conference.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne indicated his nation would accept approximately ten carefully screened non-criminal refugees possessing skills in local demand. The arrangement maintains full discretionary power for the Caribbean nation to accept or reject any recommended individuals, with the U.S. providing comprehensive biometric data and criminal background information.

The United States has extended similar invitations to over 100 countries worldwide, seeking to distribute the responsibility for refugee and deportee cases more equitably across the international community. Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states have already participated in this multilateral initiative.

The scheduled extradition proceedings against Guyanese billionaire gold dealers Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed face potential postponement following their legal team’s announcement to appeal a High Court ruling. The development emerged hours after Chief Justice Navindra Singh declined to stay the magistrate’s hearing set for January 6-8, 2026.

Lead attorney Roysdale Forde confirmed his intention to file an appeal with the Full Court of the High Court, seeking to suspend the extradition process pending resolution of two constitutional challenges. ‘We disagree with the decision respectfully and we will be filing an appeal to the Full Court and we will be seeking a stay of the proceedings at the level of the Full Court,’ Forde told journalists outside the Georgetown courtroom.

The legal battle centers on dual constitutional matters: challenges to several provisions of the Fugitive Offenders Act and allegations of ‘explicit political bias’ in the extradition authorization by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond against Azruddin Mohamed, who leads the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall maintained that the judicial process should proceed as scheduled, emphasizing that existing legal frameworks provide adequate avenues for post-committal challenges. He warned that if Magistrate Judy Latchman rules against the Mohameds, both individuals would be immediately taken into custody despite their current GY$150,000 bail status.

The United States seeks their extradition to face trial in Florida’s federal court on charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering related to their gold trading operations, allegedly resulting in millions lost in tax revenue for Guyana.

Justice Singh, in his ruling, determined that suspending the extradition process would constitute ‘a drastic remedy’ given that constitutional issues could be addressed without halting the proceedings. He noted the absence of demonstrated ‘immediate and irreversible harm’ and emphasized the public interest in honoring international extradition obligations.

The Chief Justice scheduled January 14, 2026, for preliminary hearings on the constitutional challenges, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle that Forde acknowledged ‘will be a long, arduous process’ likely reaching the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Guyana’s political opposition has launched a formal demand for financial transparency regarding substantial government allocations for urban infrastructure projects. The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition is pressing the administration to provide complete public accounting for GY$2.7 billion (approximately US$13 million) designated for market rehabilitations and drainage improvements throughout Georgetown.

APNU Parliament member Ganesh Mahipaul, who serves as the party’s local government spokesman, issued a formal statement expressing profound public dissatisfaction with the apparent lack of visible progress. “Citizens see little to no tangible improvement on the ground,” Mahipaul declared, highlighting the growing disparity between budget announcements and physical implementation.

The political challenge emerges against a backdrop of ongoing urban tensions, including the recent removal of vendor stalls from outside Yhip’s Bakery on Robb and Alexander streets under a High Court order. While no APNU representatives were present during the demolition of these predominantly female-operated businesses, Mahipaul pledged his party’s continued advocacy for market vendors across the capital.

Citing official responses provided during February 2025 Budget Estimates discussions, the opposition lawmaker detailed specific allocations that remain unaccounted for, including GY$40 million for Bourda Green project design consultancy, GY$260 million for phase one construction of Bourda Green, and substantial sums earmarked for market rehabilitations in East Ruimveldt, La Penitence, and Stabroek areas.

Mahipaul described concerning conditions persisting at multiple market locations, with Bourda Market reportedly remaining in “deplorable condition” while Merriman’s Mall shows “no transformation.” He noted widespread infrastructure deficiencies, sanitation challenges, and unsafe environments for both vendors and shoppers throughout Georgetown’s commercial spaces.

The APNU demands extend beyond mere financial accounting, seeking detailed explanations of specific works completed under each budget line item, expenditure rates, current fund locations, contract award details, and explanations for missed completion timelines. The party emphasizes that ministerial consultations and public walkabouts cannot substitute for concrete deliverables, particularly when billions of dollars and public welfare are at stake.

The infrastructure concerns are compounded by Georgetown’s persistent drainage problems, with many drains and trenches remaining choked by silt and solid waste despite recent desilting of some outfall channels to the Demerara River. During heavy rainfall, sections of Bourda Market reportedly flood with foul-smelling water, while clogged drains overflow throughout the commercial district.

The opposition’s financial transparency demand arrives as Georgetown faces additional urban management challenges, including overflowing government-donated waste bins that have complicated drainage systems since late December 2025.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, United States President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US would assume direct administrative control of Venezuela to oversee a “safe transition” of power. This declaration came hours after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and extracted from the country during a pre-dawn military operation involving missile strikes on multiple military installations in and around the capital.

Addressing a press conference, President Trump stated that the United States would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s crucial oil industry, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s economic control. “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump asserted, adding that the intervention aimed to prevent a recurrence of the political instability that has plagued Venezuela for years.

The Maduros are reportedly being transported to New York where they will face indictment on unspecified charges. This development follows months of heightened tensions between the two nations, during which the US accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking and conducted more than twenty airstrikes in maritime areas near Venezuela since September—accusations that Maduro has consistently denied.

In response to the intervention, Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez declared that the country “will prevail … not negotiate … not give up.” The Venezuelan government has condemned the operation as an act of “military aggression” by Washington, claiming that both civilian and military installations across multiple states were targeted.

The capture occurred despite Maduro’s indication just two days earlier that he was open to negotiating a deal with the US to combat drug trafficking, suggesting a rapid breakdown in diplomatic communications between the two nations.