In a powerful demonstration of regional cooperation, a specialized team from Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has successfully completed a month-long mission assisting Jamaica’s power restoration efforts following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. The seven-member crew, deployed on November 12th, 2025, returned home this week after making significant contributions to rebuilding Jamaica’s electrical infrastructure.
Led by Line Supervisor Tyrone Reynolds, the technical specialists included Kareem Lopez, Perr Tillett, Ethan Alvarado, Bladimir Alvarez, Adolfo Oliva, and Kendale August. They operated primarily in Westmoreland Savannah’s Lamar area, described as Jamaica’s most severely impacted region, where electrical systems suffered near-total destruction.
Working under the CARILEC framework (Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation), the Belizean professionals collaborated with utility crews from across the Caribbean. Their coordinated efforts produced measurable results: Jamaica’s power restoration rate jumped from 67% to 84% during their deployment period.
BEL’s Manager of Distribution Operations Ashton Webster expressed profound pride in his team’s performance. “Words cannot express how I feel in terms of what they represented,” Webster stated. “They’ve represented Belize, BEL, and our country’s capabilities. This experience demonstrated that once properly trained, Belizean technicians can perform at exceptional levels.”
The mission provided both technical and cultural exchange opportunities, though team members were reportedly stunned by the unprecedented scale of damage from Hurricane Melissa, which exceeded their experiences with Category 1 and 2 storms in Belize.
BEL has granted the returning crew vacation time to reunite with families after their extended absence, along with symbolic gestures of appreciation for their sacrifice during the holiday season.