In the summer of 2020, tensions escalated between Azerbaijan and Armenia over disputed territory in the Caucasus region. Azerbaijan’s lobbyists in Washington worked to shift blame to Armenia and highlight its ties to Russia. Representative Henry Cuellar, now charged with bribery and acting as a foreign agent, collaborated with Azerbaijan’s ambassador on legislative maneuvers against Armenia. The Cuellar family had received at least $360,000 from Azerbaijani government-controlled companies since 2014. The indictment underscores the influence of foreign interests in U.S. policymaking and the risks taken to shape it to their advantage.
The charges against the Cuellars are part of the Justice Department’s efforts to crack down on foreign influence campaigns, despite recent setbacks. Similar charges were brought against Senator Robert Menendez, who is accused of accepting bribes from Egypt and Qatar. Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Qatar have spent millions on traditional Washington lobbying to win support and maintain U.S. aid flows. Azerbaijan aimed to garner U.S. backing for the reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh and repeal a ban on U.S. aid imposed during the first Nagorno-Karabakh war. However, these efforts have faced challenges due to concerns about human rights abuses and lack of organized diaspora support.
The Cuellars allegedly accepted payments from Azerbaijani sources to influence U.S. policy in favor of Azerbaijan. Mr. Menendez and Mr. Cuellar, who held influential positions on committees overseeing foreign relations and appropriations, were targeted for their ability to assist foreign governments. Despite the indictments, both lawmakers intend to contest the charges and remain in office. The Azeri courtship of Mr. Cuellar included trips to Azerbaijan and payments to consulting firms owned by his wife. Money received was used for personal expenses, but prosecutors claim that little actual work was performed in exchange for the payments.
Mr. Cuellar’s advocacy for Azerbaijan had limited impact, with his attempts to influence U.S. policy on Armenia mostly failing. After withdrawing an unsuccessful amendment targeting Armenia, he joked with the Azerbaijani ambassador about Armenian diaspora groups taking credit for opposing the amendment. The indictment sparked calls for a broader investigation into Azerbaijan’s influence campaigns and potential ties to other U.S. officials. Despite the backlash and legal proceedings, Mr. Cuellar and Mr. Menendez have maintained their innocence and continued their political careers. The case sheds light on the complex world of foreign influence in Washington and the importance of transparency and accountability in policy-making.
