标签： Guyana

In a dramatic turn of events on the first Monday of October 2025, the spotlight fell on Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed, who were indicted on 11 serious charges including gold smuggling, tax evasion, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. This father-son duo is now accused of running an unprecedented criminal enterprise in Guyana, raising questions about their connections with high-ranking officials and the political elite. The charges, spanning from 2017 to 2024, implicate two successive governments, with leaders at various levels reportedly cultivating close ties with the Mohameds. Their alleged criminal activities were seemingly overlooked for years, with their names evoking both fear and reverence in equal measure. The author reflects on the surreal nature of being entangled in this web of corruption and questions the integrity of the friendships and protections that once shielded the Mohameds. The article also delves into the political ramifications of their indictment, particularly in light of Azruddin Mohamed’s foray into politics and his bold stance against the Exxon oil contract. The author raises critical questions about the timing of the charges and the sudden cooperation between the Guyanese and U.S. governments, suggesting that collusion may have replaced cooperation. The piece concludes with a call for Guyanese citizens to reflect on these developments and consider the broader implications for their nation’s future.

Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party, has declared his intention to assume the role of Opposition Leader in Guyana’s Parliament despite facing a US Grand Jury indictment for financial crimes. The indictment, unsealed on Monday, accuses Mohamed and his father, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, of fraud and money laundering linked to gold smuggling and the purchase of a luxury car. Mohamed, whose party holds 16 seats in Parliament, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and vowed to defend himself vigorously. He emphasized that the charges have no bearing on his parliamentary duties, stating, ‘I will go in there and represent the people. I won’t shy away from that.’ The US indictment alleges that the Mohameds reused official seals to evade taxes on gold shipments and paid bribes to Guyanese customs officials. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, fines, and asset forfeiture. Mohamed denied ownership of the implicated business, Mohamed’s Enterprise, and claimed he had no involvement in gold exports. He also criticized the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) for allegedly orchestrating the legal actions against him, citing his growing political influence as a threat. The PPPC and the Guyanese government have denied any involvement in the US legal proceedings. Mohamed’s legal battles include additional charges for tax evasion and false declarations related to a Lamborghini purchase. Despite these challenges, he remains resolute in his political ambitions, framing the indictment as a personal attack by his political adversaries.

In a significant legal development, the case against Tacuma Ogunseye, co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), has been dismissed by a Magistrate. Ogunseye was charged with inciting racial hostility during a public meeting in March 2023. Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore upheld the no-case submissions presented by Ogunseye’s defense lawyer, Nigel Hughes, stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Ogunseye’s remarks were directed at a specific racial group. Hughes emphasized that the content of Ogunseye’s speech was aimed at African Guyanese and discussed their representation in the armed forces, rather than targeting any particular racial group. Additionally, the Magistrate noted that Ogunseye’s comments were made during the Local Government Elections period, a time when politicians are granted some leeway in their statements. The court also considered that Ogunseye had quoted a foreign diplomat’s observation, which could not be interpreted as an intent to incite racial hostility. The decision was met with widespread approval from WPA members and supporters. Ogunseye had previously surrendered to the police in April 2023, pleading not guilty to the charges and was released on bail. His remarks at the WPA meeting in Buxton had sparked significant backlash from the government, private sector, and religious communities, as he called for Afro-Guyanese to defend themselves against racial discrimination and urged an African uprising on June 12.

In a significant move to bolster regional security, Guyana has expressed readiness to acquire advanced French radar systems to monitor Venezuela’s activities. This development follows France’s offer to provide air and sea radar coverage, aimed at enhancing Guyana’s surveillance capabilities. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the French Embassy in Guyana, where President Irfaan Ali emphasized the importance of defense cooperation between the two nations. Ali highlighted plans to launch a critical national asset next year, supported by a package of strategic ‘ingredients’ to ensure regional stability. Additionally, Guyana is set to receive a French-made Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) currently under construction, which will complement the existing GDFS Shahoud in safeguarding its Exclusive Economic Zone against illegal activities and incursions. Senator Cédric Perrin, Chair of France’s Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Armed Forces, underscored the necessity of interoperability between French and Guyanese military equipment. He noted France’s unique position as the closest nation with a military base capable of assisting Guyana, offering training and intelligence exchange. The collaboration is expected to be facilitated through France’s Thales Group, a leader in aerospace and defense technology. This partnership comes amid ongoing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the disputed Essequibo Region, a matter currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).