Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali Wins Second Term Amid Oil Boom and Venezuela Dispute
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has secured a second five-year term after his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the country’s general election, according to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The election, held on September 1, gave Ali’s party a clear majority with 55 percent of the vote, securing 65 seats in parliament.
The victory comes at a pivotal moment for Guyana, a nation of just 800,000 people that has rapidly risen to become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies thanks to its massive offshore oil reserves. Since ExxonMobil began drilling in 2019, Guyana has earned more than $7.5 billion from oil sales and royalties.
Oil Revenues Driving Development
Ali’s administration, in power since 2020, has invested heavily in roads, hospitals, schools, and free higher education at the state university. However, the president now faces mounting pressure to ensure the benefits of Guyana’s oil wealth reach all citizens—more than half of whom still live below the poverty line despite soaring GDP growth.
Congratulations from World Leaders
Ali’s re-election has drawn swift congratulations from the international community. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hopes of strengthening ties between India and Guyana, while the British Embassy commended the country for holding a “successful and peaceful election.” Ali, who is 45 and seen as a center-left leader, reaffirmed his commitment to international partnerships and national development.
Opposition and Electoral Rivals
Ali’s closest challenger was Azruddin Mohamed, a wealthy businessman nicknamed the “Guyanese Trump,” whose newly formed We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party captured 24.8 percent of the vote. The long-standing opposition group, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)—which draws support largely from Afro-Guyanese communities—came in third with 17.7 percent.
Rising Tensions with Venezuela
Ali begins his second term under the shadow of escalating tensions with neighboring Venezuela, which claims sovereignty over the oil-rich Essequibo region. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recently appointed officials to oversee Essequibo following controversial elections, a move Guyana strongly opposes.
The United States has backed Guyana in the dispute, deploying warships in the Caribbean as part of anti-drug operations. Maduro, however, accuses Washington of preparing to topple his government, warning that Venezuela would be ready to “declare a republic in arms” if attacked.
Guyana’s Oil Future
Guyana is now home to the largest oil reserves per capita in the world. Production is expected to reach one million barrels per day by 2030, up from the current 650,000. The oil windfall has quadrupled the state budget in just five years, projected at $6.7 billion in 2025, with a record-breaking economic growth rate of 43.6 percent in 2024.
The territorial dispute over Essequibo dates back centuries but reignited in 2015 following the discovery of vast oil fields. Guyana took the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2018, seeking to uphold an 1899 border agreement. Venezuela, however, rejects the ICJ’s authority and insists the matter should be resolved under the 1966 Geneva Agreement.
The Road Ahead
As Ali enters his second term, his government faces two major challenges: managing Guyana’s oil-fueled economic boom responsibly and defending its sovereignty against Venezuela’s claims. The balance between domestic development and international diplomacy will define the next phase of Guyana’s historic transformation.