Mohamed Rebuts Venezuela Claims, Supports Guyana’s Sovereignty

• Azruddin Mohamed rejects Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo.
• Mohamed threatens legal action against Guyana’s government.
• The WIN leader raises concerns over state-sponsored defamation campaigns.

Mohamed Stands Firm on Guyana’s Sovereignty Amid Accusations

In a bold response to accusations swirling around his political alignment, Azruddin Mohamed, leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, has strongly denied U.S. Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez’s assertions linking him to Venezuelan influence. Congressman Gimenez had described Mohamed as a ‘puppet candidate’ for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, alleging that his campaign is a front for foreign interests. In a statement issued on Monday, Mohamed stated emphatically, “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.” His rejection of these claims underscores a commitment to Guyana’s territorial integrity ahead of the impending elections scheduled for September 1, 2025.

Legal Threats and Calls for Global Awareness

The fiery response from Mohamed did not stop at rejection, as he threatened legal action against the current People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration. He expressed concern about the government’s decision to hire Continental Strategy LLC, a U.S.-based lobbying firm, at an eye-watering cost of US$50,000 per month. “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,” Mohamed revealed. He added that he is also looking into diplomatic avenues to reveal what he describes as abuses of power by the government on an international scale.

Concerns Raised Over State-Sponsored Intimidation

In response to the accusations from Gimenez, who has openly criticized the Venezuelan regime and labeled Mohamed as a sanctioned individual, the WIN leader accused the Irfaan Ali administration of a political vendetta. He called their actions a derogatory misuse of power, saying, “By falsely linking me to a hostile regime, the government is deliberately placing my safety and that of my family at risk.” Mohamed further alleged that the government has weaponized state resources to unjustly smear political opponents. He raised concerns about the implications of government-led maligning campaigns involving foreign lobbying firms, framing it as indicative of a broader pattern of state-sponsored intimidation against dissenters. “If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone,” he cautioned, emphasizing dangers posed to democracy if such tactics are allowed to proliferate.

In summary, Azruddin Mohamed has dismissed allegations of his connection with Venezuela, asserting it as an attack on Guyana’s sovereignty. He is considering legal actions against the government for hiring a U.S. lobbying firm to promote these claims, which he views as harmful to his safety. Mohamed’s criticisms of the government spotlight a troubling pattern of mistreatment towards political adversaries and the use of state resources to delegitimize opponents ahead of the elections.