Jagdeo, Bharrat

Jagdeo, Bharrat bäˈrät jägˈdāō [key], 1964–, Guyanese political leader. An economist and a member of the People's Progressive party, he served minister of finance (1995–99), helping to institute a strong debt relief program for the country. Briefly prime minister (1999), Jagdeo succeeded Janet Jagan (see under Jagan, Cheddi) as president of Guyana, serving two terms (1999–2011). During his tenure as president, Guyana experienced strong economic growth, and undertook to increase educational opportunities and improve its infrastructure. He later served (2015–20) as leader of the opposition in the national assembly, and in 2020 became one of Guyana's two vice presidents.

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