C’bean leaders congratulate President Ali on his re-election

Several Caribbean leaders have congratulated President Dr Irfaan Ali on his re-election to office at Guyana’s General and Regional Elections on Monday.

Ali’s party – the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) – secured a landslide victory with 242,498 votes, based on the results declared by the returning officers for each of the voting districts. This represents an impressive lead of over 100,000 votes over the party’s nearest political rival.

An ongoing recount exercise that was requested by one of the other contestants in the election is stalling the final declaration and ultimate swearing in of President Ali. So far, the recount has yielded no significant changes to the results.

Among those who have issued messages of congratulations to President Ali is Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was on Wednesday re-elected in that country’s national elections to serve for a third term.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, I extend warm congratulations to President-Elect of Guyana, Irfaan Ali. Jamaica values the strong and enduring partnership we share with Guyana, and I look forward to deepening our cooperation for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and the wider Caribbean,” Holness said on his social media account.

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, also on social media, posted “On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I congratulate @presidentaligy on his re-election as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Barbados values our friendship with Guyana, and through CARICOM, I look forward to us working towards even strong relations.”

Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit also expressed his congratulations to President Ali and PM Holness. In a social media post, he said “On behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, I congratulate His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of Guyana, as well as the Honourable Dr. Andrew Holness and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), on being returned to office following their respective national elections.”

“Your victories at the polls reflect the trust that the people of Guyana and Jamaica have placed in your leadership and plans for their continued advancement. Dominica values deeply the bonds of friendship and cooperation which unite our countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). We look forward to working together to further strengthen regional integration and promote the shared aspirations of our peoples. Please accept my very best wishes for your continued success as you lead your nations into a new term of progress and development,” he added.

Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell also congratulated President Ali and the Jamaican PM on their re-election.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader in Trinidad and Tobago Penelope Beckles also congratulated President Ali. She said, “On behalf of the Opposition of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the People’s National Movement, I extend my kindest and most heartfelt congratulations to my friend and comrade, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on his resounding victory in the general election held on the first of September, and on his continued service as the tenth President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

“This triumph represents not only a personal vindication for His Excellency, but also a powerful reaffirmation of the trust and confidence that the people of Guyana continue to place in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). I also wish to commend the PPP/C for once again securing the public’s mandate to govern with vision, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to the people. His continued leadership is a victory not only for the people of Guyana, but also for the principles of democracy and justice throughout our region. We stand proudly in solidarity with our CARICOM brother as Guyana moves forward under his stewardship, advancing towards greater development, prosperity, and unity. On behalf of all those who believe in Caribbean resilience, democratic values, and principled leadership, I offer my sincere congratulations to President Ali. The people of Guyana, and indeed our wider region, are in capable and visionary hands,” she further noted.

Additionally, on behalf of the Government and people of Sint Maarten, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina also extended heartfelt congratulations to President Ali.

Prime Minister Mercelina commended President Ali and the PPP/C for the confidence placed in them by the electorate, noting that the outcome reflects the strength of Guyana’s democratic traditions.

“The Guyanese people have once again affirmed their trust in President Ali’s vision for national development, prosperity, and unity. We recognize this moment as a new chapter not only for Guyana but for the wider Caribbean family,” the Prime Minister stated.
He reaffirmed the deep ties between Sint Maarten and Guyana, emphasizing the many Guyanese who proudly call Sint Maarten home. “The Guyanese community has contributed tremendously to the social fabric, economy, and cultural diversity of Sint Maarten. Today, we share in your pride as your homeland prepares to enter this new phase of leadership,” he said.

The Prime Minister further expressed optimism that under President Ali’s renewed mandate, cooperation within the Caribbean will be strengthened, particularly in areas such as climate resilience, sustainable energy, and economic diversification. “As sister nations within the Caribbean, we know that our strength lies in unity. Guyana’s progress uplifts the entire region, and Sint Maarten stands ready to deepen our collaboration for the benefit of our peoples,” Dr. Mercelina affirmed.

Moreover, Prime Minister of St. Lucia Philip Pierre also extended congratulations to President Ali, noting that “the victory reflects the trust and confidence of the people of Guyana in your leadership and vision.”

“We look forward to strengthening the bonds of friendship and partnership between Saint Lucia and Guyana, as together we continue to advance the cause of progress and prosperity within our region,” Pierre added.

President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also sent a message of congratulations to President Ali.

“The broad and peaceful participation of the Guyanese people in the elections reflects the maturity and strength of your country’s institutions, as well as the consolidation of a plural and democratic society, with growing international relevance and promising economic prospects. I would like to reaffirm Brazil’s determination to broaden and deepen its partnership with Guyana. Please rest assured, Mr. President, of my readiness to work with Your Excellency to strengthen initiatives of common interest for the benefit of our nations and our region. The friendship between our countries is vital to preserving Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace and to promoting the sustainable development of the amazon in an autonomous and sovereign manner,” the Brazilian president said.

“In conveying my fraternal greetings to Your Excellency, I extend my best wishes for success in the fulfillment of your duties and for a prosperous and harmonious future for the people of Guyana,” he added.