The Irfaan Ali government has secretly enlisted the services of United States (U.S) lobbyist Carlos Trujillo, a former advisor to President Donald Trump, for a contract worth US$50,000 per month (approximately GY$10 million), raising concerns about the transparency of the deal and its true motivations. The six-month contract, first reported by Stabroek News, was signed in December 2024 but was only publicly revealed after a filing under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act. The agreement commenced on December 16, 2024, and includes an option for renewal based on performance.
Trujillo, who served as U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) under Trump, is expected to advocate for Guyana’s position on key issues, particularly the ongoing border dispute with Venezuela. Tensions have escalated recently, exemplified by a Venezuelan naval vessel’s incursion into Guyana’s waters on March 1, 2025. Georgetown is seeking strong U.S. support for its territorial claims, especially in light of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which settled the border issue between the two countries and was deemed “full, perfect and final” However, despite the ruling, Venezuela continues to press its false claim over the Essequibo Region.
The border controversy was brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) David Granger-Moses Nagamootoo government in March 2018, after previous attempts to resolve the matter diplomatically failed. Guyana is hoping that U.S. support will strengthen its position as the ICJ moves forward with the case.
While the hiring of Trujillo’s firm is seen as a diplomatic move, it is also viewed as a political strategy ahead of Guyana’s 2025 General and Regional Elections. With mounting opposition from the APNU+AFC, the government is likely looking to leverage Trujillo’s connections within the Trump administration to bolster both foreign support and domestic political influence. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration’s interest in strengthening ties with Washington could also be influenced by the U.S. sanctions on countries engaging in Cuban medical missions—an issue that has created tensions between CARICOM and the U.S.
As reported by Stabroek News, the agreement with Continental Strategy LLC also includes coverage for “reasonable costs” such as registration fees and travel expenses, with a stipulation that any monthly costs exceeding US$15,000 must be pre-approved by the government.
Critics argue that the PPP is attempting to use this lobbying relationship to tilt both international relations and domestic political dynamics in its favour. With Trujillo’s deep connections in U.S. politics and his work on behalf of Trump, this move could have significant implications for Guyana’s future diplomatic strategy, electoral integrity, and political landscape.