The United States imposes sanctions on three people in Guyana

The United States imposed sanctions against three people in Guyana, including a public official, over corruption allegations, the State Department announced Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the agency, Guyanese civil servant Mae Thomas, businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed, as well as their company, Mohamed’s Enterprise, were named as those sanctioned.

Guyanese media reports say the three have previously denied any illegal actions.

The State Department says Mohamed’s Enterprise defrauded the Guyana government by failing to declare gold imports and exports and avoiding paying more than $50 million in taxes.

Additionally, he said Thomas, former Secretary to the Guyana Minister of the Interior and current Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, abused her position to assist Mohamed’s Enterprise and Azruddin Mohamed in exchange for cash and high-value gifts.

Gold is one of Guyana’s main exports and is sold and traded in international markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and the European Union.

“Today’s action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana’s underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain,” said Brian Nelson, U.S. Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

The sanctions prohibit Americans from conducting transactions with the designated individuals and companies and freeze any of their property or assets that are under US jurisdiction.

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