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Guyana, one of the smallest countries in South America, held general elections that spark an unusual regional and global interest for its size. The reason: its accelerated oil boom, the historic territorial dispute with Venezuela and its close relationship with the United States in a scenario of growing geopolitical tension.
With barely 800,000 inhabitants, Guyana is today the country with the highest economic growth in the world thanks to the findings of ExxonMobil in 2015. Since production began in 2019, its GDP has maintained double-digit figures and is expected to reach two million barrels per day by 2035, surpassing several traditional producers in the region.
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The current president, Irfaan Ali, is seeking re-election for the People's Progressive Party/Civic. His main opponents are Aubrey Norton, from the opposition Alliance for National Unity (APNU), and businessman Azurddin Mohamed, sanctioned by the U.S. in 2024. The rise of oil has brought with it challenges: high levels of internal inequality, the need to strengthen institutions, and the risk that wealth will erode political stability, as happened in other countries in the region. In addition to this is external pressure. Venezuela claims sovereignty over the Esequibo, a territory of 160,000 km² rich in oil and gold, and although the case is being heard in the International Court of Justice, Caracas has reiterated that it will not abide by a ruling against it. This dispute keeps the risk of military tensions on the border alive. Faced with that threat, Guyana has relied on the United States, which has deployed joint military exercises and strengthened its presence in the area. Washington sees in Georgetown a strategic partner for both security and the dispute with Nicolás Maduro's government. But the board is more complex: while US oil companies dominate production, China is advancing with infrastructure projects like the bridge over the Demerara River. For analysts, the country's challenge will be to maintain the balance between both powers and manage its oil wealth transparently to prevent it from becoming a factor of instability. Amid this situation, the elections will not only decide the internal political course, but also Guyana's role as a new key player on the global energy and diplomatic map.
