…says farm legally acquired, predates presidency, assets declared

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday said that he is being blackmailed by United States-(US) sanctioned and indicted-Mohamed family into easing pressures on them regarding the ongoing extradition proceedings. On Sunday, Azruddin Mohamed shared a video talking about President Ali’s farm, making a series of allegations. However, the Head of State said on Sunday that prior to these false allegations, he had received a number of communications from the Mohameds over the past weeks threatening to release certain information if amends were not made. The President indicated these messages were received from the elder, Nazar Mohamed, as recent as last week. The senior Mohamed is demanding that the President make amends with the family otherwise they would be releasing certain recordings regarding his farm. According to the President, he is willing to make these messages public so that persons can view the contents. Ali made it clear on Sunday that he would not succumb to pressure or blackmail from anyone. Moreover, the Guyanese Leader explained that there is nothing illegal regarding his farm, which was obtained prior to him entering office. In fact, this can be verified through banking records and other official documentations that would show the property acquisition predated Ali’s presidency. It was further noted that the farm has never received any special benefits, preferential treatment or assistance from the Government of Guyana, either before or after he reassumed office. At no point have State funds, public resources or Government assets been used in relation to this investment. Moreover, the Guyanese Leader said that his farm was part of his asset declarations to the Integrity Commission, as required by law. Additionally, President Ali’s passion for agriculture and farming is well-known not only locally but internationally as well as he continues to champion innovation and modernising the sector. In fact, not only is he leading CARICOM’s food security drive but has also been awarded by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) for his work in transforming agriculture and leading regional efforts to reduce food imports. Only over the weekend, Ali spoke of his involvement in agriculture while addressing hundreds of farmers during the cash subsidy distribution exercise held in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). Speaking with farmers about crop diversification, the Head of State said, “I am not telling you about agriculture from a position of not walking the walk. Because I went to the bank long now. I took loans upon loans because I invest in agriculture. I love agriculture. So I’m not speaking to you from a tower that I don’t know what to go through. But I’m also saying to you that there are new ways of doing things that we have to embrace.”

Sanctioned & indicated