Thousands of people cast their ballot in on Monday to decide who will be at the helm of the South American nation and its newfound oil riches.
Which are the main parties in the Guyana presidential election?
Nearly 750,000 people voted for their preferred presidential candidate from among the candidates of six political parties.
However, most of the ethnically diverse country sees the poll as an electoral bout among three parties — the incumbent Indo-dominated People’s Progressive Party of President Irfaan Ali; the Afro-backed main opposition A Partnership for National Unity; and newcomer mixed-race party We Invest In Nationhood, headed by US government-sanctioned, Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
Results from the elections are not expected before Thursday.
Guyana oil wealth debate dominates election
The party that clinches victory in the election will manage $10 billion (€8.6 billion) in annual revenue from Guyana’s offshore oil and gas production, which began in 2019.
The third-smallest Latin American country possesses one of the world’s largest shares of oil per capita.
Once traditionally dependent on gold, sugar, rice, bauxite and timber, Guyana is producing nearly 900,000 barrels of oil daily.
But even as Guyana rides the oil boom, it remains one of the poorest countries in the region.
About 58% of Guyanese citizens lived in poverty despite oil income having quadrupled the state budget to $6.7 billion in 2025 compared to before oil production started, according to a 2024 estimate from the Inter-American Development Bank
The rising cost of living was one of the prime concerns among voters during Monday’s election.
Rising tensions with Venezuela
The Guyanese election also comes in the midst of a simmering territorial with neighboring .
Venezuela has long claimed two-thirds of Guyana as its own.
On Sunday, Guyana accused Venezuela of firing shots on a boat transporting members of Guyana’s election commission in the .
Venezuela has denied the allegations.
No injuries or damage to election material aboard the boat was reported by Guyana.
Meanwhile, several international groups were on the ground to monitor the polls.
The election also had logistical challenges with 95% of Guyana’s territory covered by tropical rainforest.
Edited by: Sean Sinico
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