In Guyana and Suriname, offshore oil and environmental interests clash
Guyana and Suriname are facing a historic moment as vast offshore oil and gas reserves transform their economic prospects. Both nations now have the chance to channel new wealth into sustainable industries. Yet their political landscapes—shaped by strong presidential powers and deep ethnic divisions—will play a crucial role in how these resources are managed.
Guyana’s political scene has long been split along ethnic lines. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), traditionally backed by the Indo-Guyanese community, governed for 23 years (1992–2015) and earned praise for environmental leadership. However, voter fatigue and corruption scandals eventually weakened its hold on power. The country’s president is elected via first-past-the-post, a system that reinforces the dominance of the two main parties: the PPP/C and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), which primarily represents Afro-Guyanese voters.
Suriname’s political system differs slightly. The president is chosen by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly—or, if that fails, by a simple majority in the broader People’s Assembly. This method has kept power concentrated in the hands of a few dominant figures. Desiré Bouterse, a polarising leader, controlled Surinamese politics from 1980 to 2020 but showed little interest in biodiversity protection or Indigenous rights during his rule. The current president, **Chan Santokhi**, took office in 2020 as a member of the **Vooruitstrevende Hervormings Partij (VHP)**, a party historically tied to the Indonesian community. Born in 1959, Santokhi has been a vocal supporter of offshore oil expansion, even as his government explores ways to profit from forest conservation through carbon credit schemes. Both countries operate under hybrid systems, blending republican and parliamentary elements, but their presidents hold unusually strong authority as both head of state and head of government. The discovery of major oil and gas fields now presents both nations with a rare opportunity. How they balance resource extraction with sustainable development will depend heavily on their political structures and leadership choices.
The offshore oil boom has handed Guyana and Suriname a chance to reshape their economies. Their presidents wield significant constitutional power, meaning key decisions on energy and sustainability will rest with a small group of leaders. With ethnic divisions still influencing politics in Guyana and Suriname’s system favouring strong executive control, the path forward will hinge on how these governments choose to invest their newfound wealth.
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