Launching his party’s manifesto yesterday, WIN Leader Azruddin Mohamed brushed aside concerns by the US that he could possibly enter government and he expressed confidence that the OFAC sanctions against him over alleged gold smuggling would be lifted.
Amid continuing concerns about his credentials as a presidential candidate, Mohamed was peppered with questions by reporters and at times appeared uncomfortable and members of the head table occasionally sought to intervene.
Members of the media had expected a longer engagement with Mohamed given the sanctions and other issues surrounding his candidacy but questions were limited.
Odessa Primus, General Secretary of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), opened the press conference by emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the manifesto.
Primus then introduced the party’s presidential candidate, Mohamed, 38, describing him as “the young man with a vision, with a plan, with a very strong support team with him… a young man who we are very proud of.” She highlighted his philanthropic work across the country, alongside his family.
From the outset, WIN party representatives declined to answer questions not directly related to the manifesto. When journalists then posed questions concerning the manifesto itself, they were informed that a separate press conference would be held to address those queries because “everything you’re asking is already addressed in the manifesto”. This was met with heckling from members of the audience, presumably party supporters, who repeatedly interjected with “Read the manifesto!” as reporters sought to ask questions.
Mohamed described the launch as a “historic day, especially for the people.” He asserted the manifesto was “put together based on the people, the pride and the struggle of the people in this country.”
Mohamed cited the WIN party’s relative youth, stating, “What is amazing is that this party is in existence for a few days, just shy of 90, while the other two, 60-something years are in existence. So this goes to show that we are number one and we will win this election.”
He paid homage to Guyana’s founding fathers, stating, “Since gaining independence on May 26, 1966, their sacrifices, vision, and resilience have shaped the pillars of our nation. We must ensure that we never diminish their efforts or forgot their legacy.” Mohamed articulated WIN’s vision: “a Guyana where every citizen, regardless of race, creed, or class, can dare to dream and see those dreams become reality. We envision a Guyana where the blessings of our abundant resources uplift everyone, where love and harmony dispel hate and division, and where we stand truly united as one people, one nation, with one destiny.”
He vowed the manifesto is “our solemn oath to every Guyanese that your life will be improved through bold policies, projects, and sustainable programmes designed to provide better living standards, heal divisions, and secure our communities.” Key areas of focus mentioned by Mohamed include reducing the cost of living, increasing earnings, revitalizing key sectors, implementing fair tax reforms, boosting local manufacturing, and investing heavily in youth education, creativity, athleticism, and technological advancement.
On national security, Mohamed affirmed the party’s commitment to “asserting our sovereignty of every inch of the 83,000 square miles with which God has entrusted us as Guyanese.” Recent accusations from, a US lobbying firm had labelled him a Nicolas Maduro puppet. Mohamed also pledged to “rebuild public trust through comprehensive police reform and the restoration of law and order.”
During the question and answer segment, which Primus stated would be limited to the manifesto, journalists immediately pressed Mohamed on the funding of his ambitious promises given the proposed tax reductions. A reporter asked, “How do you intend to fund these measures? Given that there was a tax reduction, where would you be sourcing the money come from? And how do you ensure that financially you remain very stable?”
Mohamed responded by directly linking current government spending to corruption: “We went through the 2025 budget. And I saw so much of wasteful spending. For example, $23 billion in medication and drugs that are being dumped. $23 billion in expired drugs. $19.5 billion in NDIA, in drainage, yet flood. So all these money that are being spent goes behind corruption. Wasteful spending and corruption. So we have the money and we will invest the money in the right place… Billions of dollars are going behind corruption. 25% to 30% goes behind corruption. So that’s the money we will invest in the people.”
Another journalist pressed on anti-corruption and money laundering, particularly in light of OFAC sanctions against Mohamed. “How do you intend to address the issue of money laundering?…and given the sanctions, how do you intend to ensure, which is important, that should you be elected to government, what would you do to solve the situation, to safeguard the country from any sanctions (in) the financial sector?”
Transpired
Mohamed replied regarding the sanctions: “Presently, when we take office on the 2nd of September, the United States of America will work with us. We saw recently what transpired between President Trump and the Syrian President. He lifted all the sanctions and presently (he) even congratulated him as a handsome young man.”
Stabroek News further probed Mohamed, asking about critics who say he is unable to coherently speak on major sectors of the economy, his input in the manifesto, its three most important features, and how he plans to maintain relations with the US and China given his sanctions.
Mohamed reiterated his previous answer on the U.S. sanctions. Regarding China, he stated, “our people throughout this country, all 10 regions, they complain to me that they have been forced out of their business. But we will put systems in place so that won’t happen.” He then defended against blaming foreign entities, placing responsibility on the current government. “The thing is, in as much as Guyanese blame the Chinese and the Venezuelans and we blame everybody, the failure has come because our government has failed to protect us, to ensure that our zoning laws are enforced and so forth… Our enemies should be the government that allowed these things to happen. They are the problem. The government has been the problem and what we are as a party is the solution.”
When asked about his input in the manifesto, Mohamed stated, “22 hours a day. 22 hours working a day. For many days. While the government is ranting and talking down on me, I’m putting systems in place to benefit these people.”
On fair returns under the2016 PSA (Petroleum Sharing Agreement) and approaching ExxonMobil for renegotiation, Mohamed stated, “We will engage with ExxonMobil when we take office, and we will try to ensure that we can bring funds, solve the projects. We’ll discuss this with them.”
Regarding power demand, Sarabo-Halley stepped in to answer, stating, “We are a movement that believes that feasibility studies are necessary. Yes. And so when we get in, we believe that’s the first step in figuring out all of that. We understand that the lack of power is an issue, and we have enough sunshine to deal with that. And so what we will do is a feasibility study to see exactly how that will impact the lives of our Guyanese people.”
Despite Primus’s promise that Mohamed would take questions after the press conference, the executive members of the party exited the room, much to the frustration of the press. However, Stabroek News and News Source were subsequently allowed several questions.
Mohamed was asked by Stabroek News about accusations of evading taxes on gold exports and how he could administer the gold industry here under such a cloud. He responded, “Presently, there is a heavy shortage of foreign currency in the banking system. Since I was sanctioned, the rate for U.S. went up from 215 to 230 in notes, cash, U.S. dollar notes… You can’t even get $10,000 notes if you go to the cambios or even if you go on America Street. You can’t even buy 500 U.S. dollars. Since I was sanctioned, the financial system within the banks, heavy shortage of foreign currency. But they won’t say this… But right now, we have a gold dealer that is very close with the PPP. He is smuggling hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold to Brazil and Venezuela. So when I take office come the 2nd of September, I will ensure that all this gold taxes must be paid on it and it will be exported to the United States of America or Dubai.” When News Source pressed for clarity, asking, “And just for clarity, sir, I mean, you’re saying that your businesses have not smuggled gold?” Mohamed replied, “I don’t know of that. I don’t know of that. I paid all my taxes here in Guyana and I’m one of the largest taxpayers here in Guyana.”
Responding to the US Ambassador Nicole Theriot’s statement on Wednesday that his election would be a major concern due to his OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions and its potential impact on U.S. relations, Mohamed stated, “This is the first time that I agree, that I would agree with Bharrat Jagdeo. This is a sovereign nation. This is the will of the people. They want me to run for office. That is why I declared my candidacy because of the people of this country. My lawyers in the United States of America, they are presently working with OFAC to get me delisted. And I think, I’m being very optimistic that very soon I will be delisted so that we can work together with the United States of America. I’m confident.” He concluded by asserting that the WIN movement is in the middle, between APNU and PPP, and that “they are so desperate because they know that come the 2nd of September, we will win the elections. I am not in no way, shape or form aligned with the PPP nor the APNU administration. It’s all lies. Bharrat Jagdeo is a very dishonest individual”, he said.
