Guyana president Irfan Ali took over his second term on Sunday (7) after being officially declared winner of last week’s elections. The inauguration occurs when the small South American country reaps the benefits of oil and gas production in the high seas. The country’s electoral commission certified there yesterday’s victory, stating that he had “secured a forceful victory” and that his progressive party won the majority in Parliament, with 36 of 65 chairs.
Guyana, located between Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname, has attracted increasing international attention in recent years due to the vast oil reserves discovered up and for a decade, in addition to its mineral richness. The region rich in features of Essaquibo, administered by Guyana, but claimed by Venezuela, remains a point of tension. There has been praised for directing part of the country’s new oil wealth to popular social programs. In the elections, there faced the 38 -year -old businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who, together with his father and gold exporting company, was sanctioned by the United States Treasury Department “for participation in public corruption.”
Also this Sunday, the US congratulated there for its reelection. “We hope to work with the president of the president there to advance our shared foreign policy priorities, including strengthening energy security and support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly as regards the region of Essequibo,” says a statement from the US State Department. (With information from the Associated Press)
