In the wake of the United States Department of the Treasury’s sanctions on Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin, new evidence has emerged, casting doubt on Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s claims that the government no longer does business with the Mohamed family.
Nazar Mohamed, responding to Jagdeo’s statements, refuted the claim and reminded the public that his business had financially supported the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) since the era of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, playing a pivotal role in the party’s success. Despite these revelations, Jagdeo sought to downplay the family’s political involvement and minimise their business ties with the government. At his recent press conference he doubled down on the claim.
However, documents obtained reveal that not only have the Mohameds been major beneficiaries of government contracts, but they have also made substantial financial contributions to the PPP. Evidence includes a $21 million government cheque, dated December 30, 2024, and a $20 million donation to the PPP, evidenced by a Citizen’s Bank cheque from May 2024.
One analyst remarked that these sums reek of corruption, pointing out that such transactions suggest a quid pro quo: government contracts in exchange for hefty financial contributions to the ruling party. “It is highly unlikely Vice President Jagdeo, as the PPP’s General Secretary, was unaware of the Mohameds’ financial dealings,” the analyst stated.
This development also ties into allegations made by Chinese businessman Su Zhirong, who accused Jagdeo of illicit dealings and using his political office for kickbacks.
In the midst of the growing corruption allegations, President Irfaan Ali, who is the chairman of the PPP, has remained conspicuously silent. This silence has fueled speculation, with some suggesting internal rifts within the PPP or questioning whether the president is simply another beneficiary of the corrupt practices.
Compounding this speculation, Ali was notably seen using one of the Mohamed family’s luxury vehicles when he was sworn in as president. The vehicle, which prominently displayed the state presidential seal, has raised eyebrows about the extent of the ties between the Ali administration and the Mohamed family.
The U.S. Treasury’s sanctions against the Mohamed family reportedly stem from their alleged involvement in gold smuggling worth an estimated US$50 million (GY$200 million). The U.S. Homeland Security Investigations has since joined the case against the Mohameds, alongside the Treasury Department.
Mae Toussaint Jr. Thomas, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs was also sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, with her reported ties to the Mohamed family and their business dealings.
In addition to the sanctions, the Mohameds are also embroiled in a $900 million unpaid tax dispute with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) concerning the importation of luxury vehicles. GRA has threatened legal action if the taxes are not settled, but the Mohameds have countered, claiming victimisation by the PPP and indicating plans for legal action against the revenue authority.
The mounting evidence of corruption, graft, and political cronyism, and the story of the Mohameds’ entanglement with the PPP raises significant questions about the integrity of the current government leadership.
