After much hype and self-promotion, the US-sanctioned gold smuggler, money launderer, and cocaine dealer with ties to Colombian cartels, Azruddin Mohamed, arrived at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with cameras rolling and a flashy entourage to submit his party’s list of candidates. But the excitement was short-lived. Azruddin Mohamed’s party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), offered nothing of substance—no plans, no policies, and not even a clear message for the people of Guyana.
Although claiming to have a manifesto, A. Mohamed did not mention a single development proposal. When reporters pressed for even one specific idea, the businessman-turned-politician avoided every question. What Guyanese received instead was empty rhetoric and awkward evasion — not exactly signs of genuine leadership.
Furthermore, what can we expect from someone who is politically illiterate?
Things quickly worsened when a journalist, trying to clarify WIN’s so-called economic vision, was suddenly interrupted by someone named Mark France, allegedly an ANUG member who has now joined WIN. The party’s refusal to have a serious discussion only increases suspicion that WIN is just an empty shell — an ego trip disguised as a political movement.
In its June 2024 sanctions announcement, OFAC clearly highlighted the seriousness of Azruddin’s actions: “Azruddin and Mohamed’s Enterprise evaded Guyana’s tax on gold exports and defrauded the Guyanese government of tax revenues by under-declaring their gold exports… Between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10,000 kilograms of gold… and avoided paying over US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.”
This isn’t a leader — it’s a man caught red-handed stealing from the very country he claims to want to serve.
And it’s not just watchdog agencies calling him out. His own family has publicly rejected his political stunt. Prominent businesswoman Sarah Ibrahim, Azruddin’s cousin, criticized his campaign, calling it nothing more than “a rich man’s vanity project.”
“In about 50 days, don’t fall for the hype. Don’t get distracted by the show. Focus on progress. Notice how fast our country is moving forward. It might not happen overnight, but it’s happening,” she urged, asking Guyanese to prioritize real development over political theatrics.
But it gets worse. Two of Azruddin’s uncles—Mohamed Yusuf and Mohamed Haseeb Yusuf—also stepped forward to condemn his political ambitions in the strongest terms. Mohamed Yusuf, a highly respected figure, did not hold back:
“My nephew, Azruddin Mohamed, he does not understand politics, he does not understand geo-politics, he is a political novice… I don’t think he has that ability, and he is not that educated… that is my main reason. If he had those qualities, I would have been the first to endorse him; however, he doesn’t possess leadership qualities. So that is why I dismiss him.”
He further exposed the gimmick behind Azruddin’s campaign, accusing him of exploiting years of family charity work for political gain:
He hijacked his father’s charity and is now turning it into a political circus. He goes to the people, showing them he’s such a charitable man and that he deserves to lead. But this guy is not fit… These individuals are social media addicts.
With no experience, ideas, or credibility, Azruddin’s campaign is becoming the laughingstock of Guyanese politics. What began as a desperate grab for power by a man who once flaunted his wealth on Instagram has turned into a national embarrassment for his own family and the citizens of Guyana.
Even respected religious leaders from his own family have endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali for a second term, describing him as the only leader with the vision and competence to continue Guyana’s transformation.
As the countdown to the September 1 elections begins, Guyanese are seeing through the glitter and glamour of Azruddin’s hollow campaign. There’s no manifesto, no leadership, and no future in WIN — just a failed publicity stunt led by a sanctioned criminal businessman clinging to delusions of grandeur.
Finally, both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed will face the full force of the law in either the United States or Guyana and will eventually serve prison time in both countries if found guilty.
Law-abiding citizens of Guyana eagerly await the day when both Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed are extradited to the USA. Ultimately, both father and son will face justice in Guyana as well. Either way, these two will end up in jail, whether in the USA or Guyana. Both will have to face the consequences sooner or later. There is no way they can use their wealth to dismiss their criminal cases in the USA and Guyana.