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yesterday

Guyana Votes in High-Stakes Election as Shots Reported From Venezuela Near Essequibo

Control of surging oil revenues defines a contest featuring incumbent Irfaan Ali, opposition leader Aubrey Norton, with sanctioned populist Azruddin Mohamed as a potential spoiler.

Vue aérienne de Georgetown, capitale du Guyana, le 26 août 2025
Des soutiens du président du Guyana et candidat à sa réélection Mohamed Irfaan Ali, à Georgetown, le 26 août 2025.
Vue aérienne d'un bidonville à Georgetown, la capitale du Guyana, le 26 août 2025
La piste reliant sur près de 500 km Georgetown, capitale du Guyana, à Lethem, dans le sud-ouest, à la frontière du Brésil, le 28 août 2025

Overview

  • Polling stations run 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time for about 750,000 voters, with official results expected at the earliest on Thursday, according to the electoral commission.
  • Guyana’s army and police reported gunfire from Venezuela targeting a boat carrying electoral materials in the Essequibo region on Sunday, with no injuries.
  • The presidency goes to the candidate whose party wins the most votes, with six contenders on the ballot and three front-runners: Irfaan Ali (PPP/C), Aubrey Norton (APNU) and Azruddin Mohamed (WIN).
  • The next leader will oversee an oil windfall that has quadrupled the state budget to $6.7 billion in five years, with production at about 650,000 barrels per day and a goal of topping 1 million by 2030.
  • Despite reserves estimated above 11 billion barrels and 43.6% GDP growth in 2024, many citizens report little improvement as critics decry inflation, wasteful projects and corruption.