Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has warned that history will judge those who support the election of Azruddin Mohamed to the post of Leader of the Opposition, describing the prospect as damaging not only to Guyana but to the wider English-speaking Caribbean.
Mohamed was sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department’s Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedly evading more than US$50 million in taxes linked to over 10,000 kilogrammes of gold exports. He has also faced a criminal charge for making a false customs declaration on a luxury Lamborghini, which authorities allege was undervalued at US$75,300 instead of its actual price of US$695,000.
Speaking during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday night, Nandlall said the situation represents a national and regional embarrassment. He described the possibility of an OFAC-sanctioned individual and “fugitive offender” being considered for the country’s highest opposition office as deeply troubling.
“It is an indictment on our country. And it’s an indictment on the English-speaking Caribbean,” Nandlall said. “An OFAC-sanctioned person and a fugitive offender – a person who is indicted by a jury in the United States of America on a number of international financial crimes, and whose extradition is being sought by the government of the United States of America maybe the Leader of Opposition of our country.”
He argued that elevating such a figure would undermine the country’s parliamentary system, constitutional order, and regional governance standards, potentially extending repercussions across the Commonwealth.
“That is an indictment on Guyana. It’s an indictment of our parliamentary system. Is an indictment on the constitution of our country,” he stated, adding that, “We are making history for the wrong reason.”
Nandlall reaffirmed the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s position, noting that the party has taken a strong stance against Mohamed’s elevation and remains unapologetic about its opposition. He said the PPP/C has consistently aligned itself with legality and accountability and believes history will ultimately vindicate their position.
“The people’s progressive party civic will be vindicated and will be absolved by history,” Nandlall said. “We are always on the right side of the law.”
He stressed that the role of Leader of the Opposition carries significant constitutional weight, describing it as effectively the alternative president of the country. In that context, he cautioned that Guyana has yet to fully grasp the potential domestic and international consequences of Mohamed holding such office.
While acknowledging that Mohamed was elected, the Attorney General made it clear that the government and the PPP/C do not support his presence in Parliament.
“I am not oblivious to the fact that he was elected. We didn’t elect him. And we do not support a person who is so circumstanced being in the parliament and being in that post,” he said.
Nandlall concluded with a warning to those who may choose to support Mohamed, insisting that their actions will not be forgotten.
“Those [who] will vote to support him will be judged. For their position. History will record whom they supported and the role they played in placing such a person in that high constitutional office.”
