Guyana votes for leader amid debate about oil riches

1/9/2025 19:44

Guyanese voters will head to the polls on Monday to choose members of parliament and a president who will determine how riches from the South American country's hydrocarbon boom will be spent.



The country of 800,000 people has earned some $7.5 billion in revenue from oil sales and royalties since ExxonMobil started pumping offshore oil in late 2019, making Guyana one of the world's fastest-growing economies.



President Irfaan Ali, in office since 2020, is seeking re-election at the helm of the People's Progressive Party (PPP). His government has funneled oil revenues into building roads, schools and hospitals and made study at the state university free.