Dear Editor,
“Clean hands” has its legal implications for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) “Tigers don’t change their stripes,” meaning, it’s highly unlikely that a person will alter their personality, character or nature. This new party has been accused of paying people to attend their meetings and wear their paraphrenias. One person has been charged for being physically abusive to a woman when she attempted to collect her promised $50,000 but received less. This bitter experience confirms that WIN is not to be trusted and will not keep any promises they are making. Once bitten, twice shy. A vote for WIN is voting in vain.
“Come clean” has its complications for movie boy Azruddin Mohamed, modelling with his shades to shelter his suspicious eyes. “A leopard can’t change its spots”. It suggests that ingrained behaviours and personality traits are inherent and difficult, if not impossible, to alter. When a dog is accustomed to suck eggs, eat ducks and run after chicks, he does not stop. Fanatic boy cannot abstain from famous cars, fashionable clothes, fancy lifestyle and fantasize in political dreams! Old habits die hard. Such a person lacks the common touch and is not in the same league with Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
When you plant lemon, do not expect to reap lychee. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, on June 11, 2024, announced the imposition of sanctions against the Mohamed’s family, specifically targeting Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, and their businesses, namely Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing. These sanctions were connected to gold smuggling and corruption. Guyanese will not advocate any illegal activity and will not support its source of origin.
The US Ambassador to Guyana clarified the air on sanctions imposed on the Mohameds. “Anytime a US Department of the Treasury, OFAC-sanctioned individual has the potential to become a member of government, that is concerning for us. It is problematic in multiple ways,” Theriot said. Guyana is a law-abiding nation and sits on the UN security council. Guyana cannot jeopardize OFAC laws.
The name of the new kid in town was associated with the shooting of “Paper Shorts” Fagundes, outside Palm Court in March 2021. He has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office for Foreign Assets Control for allegedly evading more than US$50 Million in taxes payable to GRA on the export of 10,000 kilos of gold. “Today’s action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana’s gold sector for personal gain,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. He is also facing tax evasion and false declaration on his luxury vehicle. Such a guy is the worst possible alternative.
Guyanese will not deal with those fetching heavy baggage and will not go into the election blind-folded.