United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has rejected claims that the extradition case against U.S.-indicted businessman Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin, is politically motivated.
Speaking during the SOURCES programme on Sunday, Theriot responded to growing assertions by the Mohameds that the extradition request is driven by political influence and could destabilise Guyana’s political landscape.
The Ambassador said the United States does not pursue criminal cases for political reasons, adding that the charges are based on evidence.
“The United States does not pursue criminal charges for political reasons. We do it because we have hard, unequivocal evidence against a person,” she stated.
Theriot added that pursuing what the U.S. considered a weak case would be counterproductive.
“Why would we take on a case we don’t think we’re going to win? That’s just a waste of US taxpayers’ money. So we firmly believe that they are guilty of the crimes they have been indicted for,” she said.
She emphasised that the matter is now for Guyana’s judicial system to decide.
“It’s in the Guyanese Judiciary’s hands at this point… we are ready to move forward,” Theriot said.
While acknowledging concerns about potential political fallout, the Ambassador expressed hope that the issue would not lead to instability.
“I hope that destabilisation doesn’t occur. That would be really tragic, because we’re simply holding people that we believe are guilty of a crime accountable,” she said.
Theriot also indicated that the alleged wrongdoing affected more than just U.S. taxpayers, saying, “It’s not just the United States taxpayers that were defrauded… I’ll just leave it at that.”
The Ambassador said both governments should be clear on the origins of the case.
“It is our indictment—the US government’s indictment. The Government of Guyana did not indict the Mohameds, and I can assure you that there’s nothing political about it from the US side.”
She further stressed that U.S. actions are guided strictly by law.
“Things are being done by the book, based on the law, and certainly not politically motivated from our side.”
Her remarks follow earlier statements in which she reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the extradition process, including remarks made last week on the sidelines of the Guyana Energy Conference.
