Signal Caribbean Court of Justice clears way for US extradition of Guyana's opposition leader to resume

Summary

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled on July 29, 2026 that a US extradition process against Guyana's main opposition leader, Azruddin Mohamed, and his father, Nazar Mohamed, can resume. All presiding judges unanimously dismissed the pair's appeal challenging the legality of the process. The two men face an 11-count US federal indictment in the Southern District of Florida covering wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering and customs violations, with the most serious charge carrying up to 20 years in prison. The US Treasury's OFAC had sanctioned the two men and associated companies in June 2024 over allegations of smuggling more than 10,000 kilograms of gold and evading over $50 million in taxes. Azruddin Mohamed was elected Guyana's opposition leader in January 2026, just six months after founding his party. The case now returns to the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman for extradition proceedings to continue.