Irfaan Ali

Irfaan Ali became President of Guyana after a contentious election process that involved a five-month delay and international scrutiny. His victory ended the long tenure of the APNU+AFC coalition and marked a return to PPP/C rule.

Ali oversaw the management of Guyana's oil boom following the discovery of massive offshore oil reserves by ExxonMobil. His government negotiated production sharing agreements and established a sovereign wealth fund to manage revenues.

Ali faced an escalation of the long-standing border dispute with Venezuela over the Essequibo region. He sought international arbitration and support from the International Court of Justice, while Venezuela claimed the territory.

Ali implemented measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns, vaccination drives, and economic support. The response was praised for its effectiveness, though the opposition criticized some restrictions.

Ali launched major infrastructure projects, including road construction, bridge building, and energy expansion, funded by oil revenues. The projects aimed to improve connectivity and boost economic growth, but faced delays and cost overruns.