Dear Editor,
Guyana must stop pretending that Azruddin Mohamed’s political awakening is some bold new chapter for democracy. It is a last-ditch escape plan — the kind used by cornered moguls and criminal empires across the world.
Mohamed’s attempt to transform himself into a political messiah didn’t begin with a philosophy.
It began with U.S. sanctions and federal indictments.
When the United States accused him and his father of large-scale tax evasion, under-declaring gold exports, and operating a gold-smuggling network that deprived Guyana of tens of millions of U.S. dollars, Mohamed didn’t defend himself in court.
He launched a political party.
When the U.S. unsealed an indictment detailing allegations involving fraud, money laundering, and customs-related offences, he didn’t go quiet.
He stepped onto stages across Guyana, cash in hand, and started buying loyalty among the vulnerable.
And now that he has secured the largest number of opposition seats — financed by wealth U.S. authorities say was built on tax evasion, smuggling, and illicit financial schemes — he stands on the brink of becoming Guyana’s Opposition Leader.
This is not politics.
This is self-preservation.
Let’s Talk About the Money
The money Mohamed uses to fund his political machinery is not the fruit of innovation, brilliance, or entrepreneurship.
According to U.S. authorities, it is the product of:
- massive tax evasion,
- under-declared gold exports,
- smuggling operations,
- and illicit financial networks designed to defraud Guyana of revenue.
These are not whispers.
These are detailed in U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctions, federal court filings, and official government statements.
And when Guyanese institutions began scrutinising the same networks, allegations expanded even further into other illicit activities long associated with cross-border criminal syndicates.
The point is simple:
Mohamed’s political machine is fuelled by money the United States government says was stolen from the Guyanese people.
And now he wants to use that same money to climb into constitutional office.
His Public Outbursts Are Not Activism — They Are Panic
His outburst at the Amerindian Hostel?
A staged provocation.
His sudden interest in cash-grant protests?
A convenient attempt to stir unrest and distract from his legal troubles.
His community tours?
A carefully calculated attempt to construct a political shield before facing a U.S. judge.
This is not a man defending the poor.
This is a man weaponising them.
This Is a Global Pattern — And Guyana Has Seen the Script Before
History is full of men who turned political influence into a bulletproof vest when the law caught up:
- Pablo Escobar, who ran for Congress solely to block U.S. extradition.
- Christopher “Dudus” Coke, whose political ties nearly tore Jamaica apart during his extradition saga.
- Silvio Berlusconi, who used political office to dodge prosecution for years.
- Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled corruption charges and weaponised his movement for protection.
- Ricardo Martinelli, who used state power to delay extradition and prosecution.
- Hugo Carvajal, who exploited political influence to avoid U.S. courts.
Each one used money, influence, and public manipulation to avoid standing before the law.
Mohamed has now joined their ranks.
Guyana Must Decide What Kind of Country It Wants to Be
Will our democracy become a sanctuary for individuals under foreign indictment?
Will parliamentary office become a shield for those accused of defrauding the state?
Will political leadership be auctioned off to the highest bidder?
Because that is what Mohamed represents:
a dangerous precedent where wealth — not integrity — buys power and insulation from the law.
A Final Truth
Azruddin Mohamed is not fighting for Guyana.
He is fighting for Azruddin Mohamed.
His political sprint is not about vision.
It is about avoiding a courtroom in the United States.
And no amount of staged protests, paid mobilisation, or political theatrics can disguise the reality:
Guyana deserves leaders — not fugitives-in-waiting.
Sincerely,
Marlon Hope