Jagdeo maintains Mohamed visited Venezuela Embassy, says may be their ‘exit strategy’

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday alleged that Nazar Mohamed, patriarch of a US-sanctioned family, visited the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown, suggesting the trip may be tied to legal troubles with the US.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing, Jagdeo cited earlier remarks by US congressmen who linked businessman Azruddin Mohamed, Nazar’s son, to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, calling him “Maduro’s puppet.” He said such comments were unlikely without US intelligence briefings and must be taken seriously in the context of protecting Guyana’s sovereignty.

The Mohameds — Nazar, Azruddin and several family-owned companies — were sanctioned by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in June 2024 for alleged corruption and other offences.

Jagdeo alleged that shortly after, both father and son travelled to Barbados to meet US prosecutors in what he claimed was an attempt to negotiate a plea deal.

He further alleged that this engagement “did not go well.”

The vice president said Nazar’s subsequent embassy visit “raises red flags” and was confirmed by the Venezuelan ambassador to Guyana when summoned by Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd.

“Don’t tell me that Azruddin didn’t know about it, or that other family members were unaware. They all knew,” Jagdeo said.

While Azruddin denied visiting the embassy, Jagdeo said the silence about Nazar’s trip was telling and challenged the family to deny it outright or explain the purpose — particularly why a visa to Venezuela would be sought so close to national elections.

He speculated the trip could be part of an “exit strategy” after failed plea talks, noting Venezuela does not extradite certain individuals to the United States.

“I’m willing to stake my entire political career on the fact that he went,” Jagdeo said.

He added that the government views any perceived threat to territorial integrity seriously, recalling a warning by Guyana’s defence chief that anyone undermining sovereignty could face treason charges.

The comments come as Guyana pursues its territorial dispute with Venezuela at the International Court of Justice, with the next phase of proceedings expected to increase diplomatic scrutiny.