Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd has summoned Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, following reports that Azruddin Mohamed, presidential candidate for the recently formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, along with possibly his father Nazar Mohamed, has been making repeated visits to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown.
Minister Todd raised the issue publicly during an update on the Guyana-Venezuela border case currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), describing the development as a “serious concern,” particularly given Venezuela’s ongoing threats to Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo region. The move follows recent statements from members of the United States Congress expressing alarm over the Mohameds’ alleged ties to the Maduro administration.
However, the minister’s decision has sparked criticism within diplomatic circles. In an interview with this publication, a senior retired Guyanese diplomat described the move as “a breach of decency, protocol, and international law.”
“You cannot summon a foreign ambassador simply because a national is visiting their embassy,” the diplomat said. “That space is legally recognized as the territory of the country that flies the flag. Once someone crosses that threshold, they are under the protection of that state.”
The former diplomat pointed to well-known precedents, including the case of Edward Snowden, who sought protection at the Russian consulate, as examples of how embassies provide refuge under international law. Religious institutions have historically played a similar role, offering sanctuary to dissidents.
“Even if Mohamed were wanted by the police and entered the United States Embassy, Guyanese authorities could not legally touch him there without express permission. That’s the international standard,” the diplomat explained. “Interfering in such visits, especially without clear legal cause, is a dangerous precedent.”
The retired official emphasised that Guyana’s ongoing border controversy with Venezuela cannot be used to justify behavior that undermines established diplomatic norms.
“If the government has credible evidence that the Mohameds are engaged in criminal activity—espionage, conspiracy, or otherwise—they must follow due process. Until then, summoning an ambassador based on a citizen’s visits is unjustified,” the diplomat warned.
The source further argued that the move appears politically motivated, coinciding with the growing prominence of the We Invest in Nationhood party, which poses a serious challenge to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.
“This does not rise to the level of a diplomatic crisis that would justify risking Guyana’s already fragile relationship with Venezuela,” the diplomat said. “International law provides clear remedies—declaring someone persona non grata or breaking off diplomatic relations—but those steps are reserved for extreme cases, not political rivalry.”
While embassies may offer physical protection, the formal granting of asylum is a separate matter that must be decided by the host country’s government. Nonetheless, the core issue, the diplomat stressed, is the principle.
“The idea that a citizen’s frequent visits to a foreign embassy is, by itself, enough to trigger a diplomatic confrontation is deeply troubling. It opens the door to political abuse and erodes the very international protections we expect others to uphold on our behalf.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not disclosed the content of the meeting with Ambassador Perez Silva, including whether any instructions or warnings were issued. Questions remain as to whether Venezuela was asked to limit or deny future visits by the Mohameds, withhold visa requests, or take other measures.
Observers say the lack of transparency, combined with the political context, raises concerns about misuse of state power and disregard for diplomatic protocol.
“Guyana cannot afford to send a message that it is willing to violate international norms when politically convenient,” the diplomat cautioned. “Today it’s the Mohameds. Tomorrow it could be any citizen engaging with a foreign mission.”
