U.S.-Born Woman Favored for President

The Chicago-born widow of a former president scorned by the United States for his leftist views was the leading contender to become president as the former British colony held only its second democratic elections in 30 years. Janet Jagan, 77, the interim prime minister and widow of the late President Cheddi Jagan, was favored by her husband’s followers, most descended from East Indian indentured laborers, over former President Desmond Hoyte, whose base is among Guyanese descended from African slaves. Turnout was heavy in the South American nation east of Venezuela.