GEORGETOWN, Guyana — In a remarkable political development, Azruddin Mohamed, a 38-year-old Guyanese businessman confronting serious U.S. criminal charges, has been formally elected as the nation’s official opposition leader. This unprecedented political ascension occurred Monday through a parliamentary vote held six months after Mohamed established his We Invest in Nationhood Party (WIN), which has rapidly emerged as Guyana’s second-largest political force.
The parliamentary confirmation proceeded with 17 lawmakers—16 from WIN and one from a single-seat party—voting in Mohamed’s favor. This political milestone unfolds simultaneously as a magistrate’s court deliberates on state arguments for his extradition to the United States, where he and his father face federal indictments for gold smuggling and money laundering.
Last year, Florida prosecutors unsealed indictments against the Mohamed family, alleging their involvement in smuggling over 10,000 kilograms of gold from Guyana to the United States while evading more than $50 million in taxes. These charges followed earlier sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department, which identified the Mohameds as significant players in Guyana’s gold industry through their extensive business operations, including foreign exchange outlets and substantial real estate holdings.
The case has highlighted persistent governance challenges in the oil-rich South American nation, with authorities having shuttered all Mohamed family businesses and commercial bank accounts following the sanctions announcement.
Monday’s parliamentary session, attended exclusively by opposition lawmakers, occurred amid mounting international pressure. Western nations and civil society groups had accused Guyanese authorities of deliberately delaying parliamentary proceedings to obstruct Mohamed’s election. Parliament had convened only once since its dissolution in July preceding September’s general elections.
Addressing concerns about potential extradition, Mohamed asserted the fundamental legal principle that “a person is innocent until proven guilty.” He suggested political motivations behind the legal actions, contending that his prosecution relates directly to WIN’s successful opposition to the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
“I announced my candidacy because of the people of this country,” Mohamed told reporters outside parliament. “The people asked me. I would not have had any court issues if I did not contest this election. I am ready to serve the people of this country.”
House Speaker Manzoor Nadir acknowledged the unusual circumstances, describing himself as being in a “difficult position” for overseeing the appointment of an indicted individual as opposition leader. Despite these reservations, Nadir presided over the proceedings and formally congratulated Mohamed on his electoral victory.