Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has firmly refuted claims that his administration broke a promise to distribute cash grants before Christmas 2025. During a press briefing on Thursday, Jagdeo presented his party’s election manifesto to demonstrate that no specific pre-holiday payout commitment had been made.
The Vice President explained that no funds have been allocated in the Treasury for such disbursements, emphasizing that implementing the cash transfer program would require parliamentary approval and several months of preparation. He recalled that earlier this year, the government needed five months to execute a similar program, which encountered challenges including attempted system exploitation.
Jagdeo characterized President Irfaan Ali’s previous comments about potential Christmas payments as humorous remarks rather than policy commitments. “Jocularly, the President said if you’re good people… and this is what they are building their campaign on,” he stated, referencing opposition claims from We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
The Vice President confirmed that cash grants of GY$100,000 would be distributed following the approval of the 2026 National Budget early next year, with projected costs exceeding GY$60 billion. However, he cautioned citizens against developing dependency on government transfers, emphasizing that “You got to earn too. Cash grants should help supplement what you have.”
Jagdeo outlined broader social programs including soft loans and grants for small business development through a planned US$200 million development bank, financial support for housing programs, and community improvement initiatives. He revealed plans for over GY$800 billion in housing investments for hundreds of thousands of families over the next five years, alongside increased support for children, pensioners, and workers.