A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member, Mervyn Williams on Friday last warned electors of the risks associated with having a sanctioned individual in charge of the nation’s future for the next five years. During his address at the party’s Vreed-en-Hoop rally, Williams cited the state of affairs in neighbouring Venezuela, noting that the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, is sanctioned by the United States. He alluded that the economic turmoil plaguing the nation could be Guyana’s reality overnight if “clean hands” are not holding the reins of office.
He outlined that in APNU’s camp, there is presidential candidate, Aubrey Norton with “clean hands,” adding he is surrounded by persons with traits of honesty and decency. Williams noted that Norton is a leader who hails from the working class and is connected to the grassroots base of the party.
He added, “When you look at the other side, you will see corrupt people from number one and two, all down the line. You will see people who are convicted of criminal conduct. You will see people who have been sanctioned. You have seen a police officer being sanctioned. You have a permanent secretary who was sanctioned.”
In another political camp, Williams said there is a businessman and his son who were sanctioned. Readers would recall that it was in June 2024, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed, his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, and their businesses over allegations of gold smuggling and tax evasion. A few months ago, Azruddin Mohamed formally declared his bid for presidential office and launched his party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
“If you look outside of Guyana to Venezuela, you will see the effects of sanctions. There is a risk, my comrades. The president of Venezuela was sanctioned after he became the president and the whole country collapsed, and we have got to deal with the migrants from Venezuela in our midst, and we understand the suffering that they have to endure,” he added.
The APNU member underscored that the risks are high and so are the consequences after the 2025 General and Regional Election which is scheduled for September 1. He stressed that these risks posed by sanctioned idividuals, or those likely to be sanctioned, must be avoided. He told electors, “Only you have the silver bullet to save this country. That silver bullet is the X that you will mark on that ballot paper….”
