Last Updated:
Irfaan Ali wins a second term as President of Guyana, with the People’s Progressive Party dominating. Here’s a look at who he is and his India connection
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali claimed victory in the country’s general and regional elections.
Irfaan Ali claimed a second five-year term as President of Guyana, extending his mandate to lead the South American nation at a time when vast oil wealth and rising geopolitical tensions define its future. Irfaan Ali’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP) secured more than 242,000 votes, winning majorities in eight of Guyana’s ten districts, according to preliminary counts. That result cements the PPP’s dominance, even before official tallies are released. The newly launched We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party finished second with about 109,000 votes while the traditional opposition, A Partnership for National Unity, trailed further behind.
Who Is Irfaan Ali?
Recommended Stories
At 45 years old, Irfaan Ali is the face of a new generation of Guyanese leadership. Trained as an urban planner and economist, he campaigned on promises to harness Guyana’s billions of barrels of newly discovered oil to modernise infrastructure and lift thousands out of poverty. The stakes are high owing to ExxonMobil’s 2019 discoveries, Guyana’s state budget has quadrupled, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
But his victory comes against headwinds. The opposition has accused the PPP of favouritism in oil revenue distribution and Guyana remains locked in a bitter territorial dispute with Venezuela over the oil-rich Essequibo region- a flashpoint that shadowed this election.
Irfaan Ali’s Special Connection to India
Irfaan Ali’s was born into a Muslim Indo-Guyanese family and is part of a diaspora community whose ancestors arrived from India as indentured labourers in the 19th century. That heritage was formally recognised in 2023, when New Delhi conferred on him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman- the highest honour for overseas Indians. He was celebrated for his contributions to politics and community welfare as well as his achievements on the world stage.
- Location :
Guyana
Loading comments…
Read More
