The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is facing scrutiny after issuing a statement challenging comments allegedly made by the Venezuelan Ambassador, as recently reported by Stabroek News and Village Voice News. The controversy revolves around alleged visits to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown by members of the Mohamed family.
Ambassador’s Denial
On September 8, on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Venezuelan Ambassador Carlos Amador Pérez Silva told the media that Azruddin Mohamed, son of Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) presidential candidate, had never visited the Embassy:
“He never has been, never. This is confidential for the embassy. We have to respect the privacy of the people that come here. If someone visits to request a visa, for example, that’s private information. It’s not for the embassy to disclose.”
This denial clarifies that the Ambassador was referring to the son, Azruddin Mohamed, not both father and son. Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, the father, had indeed visited the Embassy for visa purposes.
Political Claims and Misrepresentation
The controversy began with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Hugh Todd and escalated by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who at a campaign rally in Alexander Village on August 13, claimed:
“Watch what will happen over the next few days because I hope he will deny that, too, because there is video evidence of the Mohameds going into the Venezuelan Embassy.”
Jagdeo later walked back his statement, clarifying he was referring to Nazar Mohamed, but not the son. Despite this, the Department of Public Information (DPI) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd did not issue a public correction.
On August 12, Minister Todd had stated:
“The Mohameds, who were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), have been frequently visiting the Venezuelan embassy in Guyana.”
Todd added that the Ambassador had “confirmed the Mohameds visited the embassy to apply for visas to go to Venezuela, specifically Caracas.”
The lack of clarification contributed to public confusion, as the statements implied both father and son visited.
Ministry Challenges Ambassador
On October 22, the Ministry issued a statement expressing concern about the Ambassador’s comments and questioning why he was allegedly “secretive” about Nazar Mohamed’s visit. The Ministry stated:
“This latest statement stands in direct contradiction to the Ambassador’s earlier account, which was provided during a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. On that occasion, the Ambassador clearly confirmed that Mr. Mohamed had indeed visited the Venezuelan Embassy and further offered specific details concerning the documentation presented and the purpose of the engagement.”
The Ministry also noted that the event referenced in the visa application was scheduled for July 2025, while the actual visit occurred in August 2025, and described the Ambassador’s denial as “troubling and inconsistent.”
Diplomatic Considerations
Analysts emphasise that embassies are foreign territory within a host country and any visitor is under the protection of the embassy state. Embassies are not obligated to disclose information about visitors, including visa applicants.
A retired senior diplomat, turned analyst, said:
“The Government’s insistence on publicly challenging the Embassy, while ignoring the Ambassador’s clarifications, risks breaching diplomatic protocol and international law.”
The clarification that the Ambassador was referring to Azruddin Mohamed, not both father and son, has not been fully acknowledged by the Irfaan Ali administration (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or DPI, until statement dated October 22. This ongoing misrepresentation, coupled with the Ministry’s challenge to the Embassy, has intensified the dispute and raised questions about accuracy, political motives, and adherence to diplomatic norms.
See the Ministry’s October 22, 2025 statement below:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation notes with concern the recent comments made by the Venezuelan Ambassador in Georgetown, and questions why the Ambassador is being secretive about the visit of Mr. Nazar Mohamed to the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, regarding a visa application.
This latest statement stands in direct contradiction to the Ambassador’s earlier account, which was provided during a meeting with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. On that occasion, the Ambassador clearly confirmed that Mr. Mohamed had indeed visited the Venezuelan Embassy and further offered specific details concerning the documentation presented and the purpose of the engagement.
The Ministry also recalls that the Ambassador indicated that the event referenced in the visa application was scheduled for July 2025, while the actual visit to the Embassy occurred in August 2025. This information was shared directly by the Ambassador when summoned for clarification on the matter.
The Ministry therefore views the Ambassador’s subsequent denial as both troubling and inconsistent with his previous statement.
The Ministry reaffirms its expectation that all representatives of foreign missions accredited to Georgetown will conduct their duties with the highest standards of honesty, professionalism and respect for the norms governing diplomatic relations.
The invitation letter related to this matter is hereby attached for reference.
