Carib Scope

作者： admin

  • Culture Minister promotes Vincymas 2027 in New York

    Culture Minister promotes Vincymas 2027 in New York

    A high-level delegation from St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Carnival Development Corporation (CDC), led by Sports, Culture and Creative Industries Minister Kaschaka Cupid, will depart for New York this week to kick off early promotional efforts for the 2027 edition of Vincy Mas, the nation’s flagship cultural festival. The 2027 celebration carries a special milestone: it marks 50 years since the festival made its historic shift from the traditional pre-Lenten calendar to its current June-July scheduling back in 1977, inspiring the campaign’s official theme “Road To 50.”

    Joining Minister Cupid on the trip are CDC Deputy Chairman Colin Graham and Chief Executive Officer Rodney Small, as the organization ramps up pre-event planning for what is widely expected to be the most significant celebration in the festival’s modern history. The delegation’s schedule centers on engagement with the large Vincentian diaspora community based in New York, starting with a public media briefing scheduled for Friday, August 14. The briefing will offer diaspora members a full update on the CDC’s long-term planning for the golden jubilee, as well as preview the slate of special events being developed as part of the multi-year “Road To 50” lead-up.

    The following day, the delegation will take part in the annual Vincy Day Picnic, one of the largest recurring gatherings of Vincentians living outside the Caribbean. While in New York, the team will also hold working meetings with the picnic’s organizing committee and other local stakeholders to deepen ties between the CDC and overseas-based Vincentians. These conversations are a core part of the CDC’s strategy to build sustained excitement for the 2027 celebration years in advance.

    The CDC outlines that the 50th anniversary celebration is far more than a party: it is an opportunity to reflect on five decades of evolution of Vincy Mas, honor the countless cultural practitioners who have shaped the festival into the beloved event it is today, and boost participation from Vincentians both at home and across the global diaspora. Long-term, the organization aims to solidify Vincy Mas’ reputation as one of the top must-visit cultural festivals in the Caribbean.

    Unlike traditional festival promotion that kicks off just months before the event, the “Road To 50” campaign is targeting audiences early, with a specific focus on reaching two key groups: Vincentians who have built lives abroad, and international travelers who have never experienced Vincy Mas or visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Per an official CDC press release, the campaign will introduce new global audiences to the nation’s rich tapestry of music, masquerade, cultural traditions and heritage, while also showcasing the warm hospitality that defines the island chain. The ultimate goal is to position St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a leading cultural and tourism destination for Caribbean travelers.

    This New York promotional visit is just the first step in the CDC’s multi-year outreach strategy, which centers on leveraging connections with the Vincentian diaspora to expand the festival’s global reach and drive broader participation in the 2027 golden jubilee celebrations as the nation embarks on this historic milestone journey.

  • WASCO partners with Japanese specialist to cut water losses

    WASCO partners with Japanese specialist to cut water losses

    Water security is growing as a pressing priority for small island nations, where limited freshwater resources are already strained by seasonal dry periods and aging infrastructure. On the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, the local Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) has launched an ambitious new initiative to cut systemic water losses by 5% within the next three to five years, backed by technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    The collaboration between the two organizations targets the most common causes of preventable water loss across WASCO’s distribution network: persistent pipe leaks, incorrectly functioning water meters, and unregulated unauthorized water access. To lead the on-the-ground implementation of the program, JICA has dispatched veteran water supply engineer Tomohiro Minami to Saint Lucia, who began his two-year assignment with WASCO’s specialized non-revenue water team in June 2026.

    Minami brings decades of global experience to the role, having previously worked on community-focused water management projects in Nepal and Tanzania, where he helped build local capacity to address chronic water loss. In an official press statement shared by the partnership, Minami outlined his core priorities for the tenure: supporting WASCO to develop a sustainable, long-term framework for water loss management, and building the skills of local staff through hands-on training. “To achieve this, I will work together with WASCO’s staff to collect and analyse the data, assess the current situation, and implement pilot activities in selected areas,” he explained.

    Early results from the collaboration have already shown promise, according to WASCO’s Senior Planning and System Supervisor Hamish Joseph. Joseph noted that the partnership has already helped the company gain deeper, more actionable insights into the performance of its entire water network, describing the ongoing collaboration as “very productive.”

    Beyond the direct operational gains for WASCO, the 5% water loss reduction target is expected to deliver tangible benefits to consumers across Saint Lucia. Retaining treated water that currently escapes through leaks and burst pipes will expand the volume of water available for customer delivery, creating a far more consistent and reliable water supply that reduces the risk of acute shortages during the island’s annual dry season, when freshwater resources are already stretched thin.

    The initiative also brings significant financial advantages for the utility. By cutting the volume of treated water lost before it reaches paying customers, WASCO will generate cost savings that can be reinvested back into critical infrastructure upgrades, further improving the long-term resilience of Saint Lucia’s water distribution system.

  • CDB and World Bank review Grenada projects to improve implementation

    CDB and World Bank review Grenada projects to improve implementation

    Two leading global development institutions, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Bank Group, have successfully concluded a collaborative portfolio review of active development projects in Grenada, reaching a consensus on a targeted set of reforms designed to accelerate project delivery and amplify the impact of investments across the island nation.

    Per an official press statement released by the CDB, the week-long Portfolio Review Mission brought together senior technical officials from both funding bodies alongside senior representatives from multiple Grenadian government agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Development, Planning, and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation. Local line ministries and implementing agencies that directly manage on-the-ground project activities also participated, and the review process concluded with high-level talks with Grenada’s cabinet ministers.

    The joint assessment covered 11 ongoing capital infrastructure and technical assistance projects financed through CDB funding, spanning a wide range of priority sectors critical to Grenada’s long-term sustainable development: coastal erosion protection, potable water access, public healthcare infrastructure, primary and secondary education, sustainable agricultural production, renewable energy expansion, and national development monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

    Notable projects included in the review were Grenada’s high-profile Geothermal Drilling Project, a key initiative that underpins the country’s national transition away from fossil fuels to low-carbon renewable energy; the Southern St. George Water Supply Expansion Project, which aims to address chronic water access gaps and expand reliable service for communities in the region; and Phase 2 of the national Grenada Education Enhancement Project, which is delivering infrastructure upgrades and learning resources to schools across the country’s islands.

    Additional key projects reviewed included Climate Smart Agriculture Phase 2, an initiative that supports smallholder farmers to adopt climate-resilient growing practices, strengthen rural household incomes, and improve national food security, as well as the Health Sector Strengthening Project, which focuses on modernizing public healthcare facilities and upgrading service delivery for Grenadian citizens.

    During the review, participating working groups addressed common operational bottlenecks that often slow project delivery, covering challenges related to public procurement processes, compliance with environmental and social safeguard standards, progress monitoring frameworks, and proactive risk management strategies. The joint review ran concurrently with a separate routine World Bank Country Portfolio Performance Review, allowing for coordinated alignment of assessment findings.

    L. O’Reilly Lewis, Director of the CDB’s Projects Department, highlighted the high level of collaboration between Grenada’s government and the two development institutions throughout the review process. “There was strong engagement from the project teams and line ministries in Grenada during the portfolio review,” Lewis noted. “Together with the World Bank, we believe this collaborative effort will translate into tangible development results and stronger resilience for all Grenadians.”

    As part of the assessment, the joint mission delegation conducted site visits to four priority projects to observe progress firsthand. In Concord, officials reviewed construction and implementation work on the Southern St. Georges Water Supply Expansion Project, which is engineered to reduce the island’s vulnerability to recurring drought and water shortages in the southern region. The delegation also traveled to project sites for Climate Smart Agriculture Phase 2 to assess how earlier investments in climate-resilient farming practices are being scaled to benefit more rural communities.

    Gail Richardson, World Bank Operations Manager for the Caribbean, explained that the joint review model was intentionally designed to cut through bureaucratic delays, speed up implementation, and maximize the impact of development investments in Grenada. “The World Bank has worked closely with the CDB through this joint review in order to expedite program implementation and the achievement of development results that advance Grenada’s resilience and growth agenda, while expanding opportunities for jobs and livelihoods,” Richardson said.

    Mike Sylvester, Permanent Secretary in Grenada’s Ministry of Finance, welcomed the findings of the review and reaffirmed the Grenadian government’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with both the CDB and World Bank. “The Government of Grenada values this comprehensive review and its partnership with CDB and the World Bank,” Sylvester stated. “The mission has reinforced our shared commitment to delivering meaningful development outcomes and strengthening the implementation of projects that are critical to Grenada’s sustainable growth and resilience.”

    At the conclusion of the mission, all parties reached formal agreement on a clear set of actionable steps: these include targeted reforms to improve project implementation speed and increase fund disbursement rates, the identification of new avenues for deeper collaboration between the CDB and World Bank on future initiatives, and an updated pipeline of planned CDB-funded projects for Grenada over the coming years.

    The CDB confirmed that a formal joint management letter, which will detail the review’s full findings and outline the agreed-upon implementation actions, will be transmitted to the Government of Grenada in the coming weeks.

    This joint review forms part of the two institutions’ ongoing long-term development engagement with Grenada, and aligns directly with the CDB’s newly launched Strategic Plan 2026–2035, which centers its work on strengthening regional public institutions, expanding multi-stakeholder partnerships, and ensuring development investments build lasting climate and economic resilience and expand opportunity across all Caribbean nations.

  • Domineestraat maandag weer open, renovatie sneller dan gepland

    Domineestraat maandag weer open, renovatie sneller dan gepland

    Road rehabilitation projects rarely beat tight deadlines, but a major street upgrade in Suriname is defying expectations: the heavily worked section of Domineestraat between Neumanpad and Steenbakkerijstraat is set to reopen to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Monday, August 17, more than two weeks ahead of the original timeline.

    The upgrade work first kicked off on August 3 of this year. Initially, public works officials mapped out a full four-week timeline to complete all core and finishing upgrades for the busy stretch, but authorities prioritized early reopening to minimize disruption for local residents and commuters. That urgency pushed the project’s lead contractor, Tjongalanga N.V., to accelerate work without sacrificing build quality, according to senior officials.

    Vikash Moenna, deputy director of Dry Civil Engineering at Suriname’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning, confirmed that the first layer of asphalt was successfully laid on the planned Friday schedule, putting the project well on track for the Monday reopening. In comments to Suriname’s Communication Service, Moenna noted that the contractor has already reached an advanced stage of completion across all core works. While the full street will open to traffic on schedule, Moenna added that a small set of residual finishing works will continue after reopening, including hardening of the road shoulders and the installation of new drainage infrastructure to tackle chronic flooding in the area.

    Among the key post-reopening works is the construction of a new inspection manhole on the main sewer line at the intersection of Domineestraat and Jodenbreestraat. This targeted upgrade is specifically designed to reduce persistent waterlogging that has plagued the neighborhood during heavy rain events, addressing a longstanding quality of life issue for local residents.

    Monna voiced clear satisfaction with the contractor’s performance, noting that the team pulled off the accelerated timeline through extraordinary effort. Even with unforeseen challenges that emerged during the construction phase, Moenna confirmed the project remains within its approved budget and is on track to wrap all works fully according to the adjusted schedule.

    Crucially, Moenna emphasized that the accelerated timeline has not come at the cost of construction quality. Public works teams carry out daily on-site supervision and quality checks, and a full battery of standardized compliance tests is required after project completion to confirm the work meets all national engineering specifications. “These tests are written directly into the contractor’s contract, and the firm must demonstrate that all work meets high quality standards before handover,” Moenna explained.

    The full Domineestraat rehabilitation project is a collaborative effort, delivered by lead contractor Tjongalanga N.V. in partnership with Suriname’s main utility providers: water utility SWM, energy provider EBS, and telecommunications firm Telesur.

  • “$80 Million Deserves Answers”: BCWJ Tells BTL to Show Its Math

    “$80 Million Deserves Answers”: BCWJ Tells BTL to Show Its Math

    A newly formed labor advocacy organization is escalating tensions around Belize Telemedia Limited’s (BTL) planned $80 million acquisition of telecommunications rival Speednet/Smart, demanding full public transparency for the proposed deal’s valuation and outstanding corporate obligations.

    The Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ), the latest group to throw its weight against the merger, formally renewed its opposition in an official statement released Wednesday, challenging BTL to break down exactly what assets are included in the eight-figure purchase price.

    Currently, BTL claims it can integrate Speednet’s entire customer base onto its existing telecommunications infrastructure. Given that, BCWJ argues the Belizean public is entitled to a clear, detailed breakdown of how Speednet’s core assets – including its digital technology, physical network infrastructure, wireless spectrum licenses, existing customer base, and other intangible assets – were calculated to reach the $80 million valuation.

    Beyond valuation transparency, the group is pushing for a full regulatory and independent review of the transaction before any approval is granted. Specifically, BCWJ is calling for the release of multi-year audited financial records for Speednet, an independent third-party valuation of the company’s assets, a formal technical audit of Speednet’s infrastructure, and a public assessment of how the acquisition would reshape market competition, impact consumer pricing and service quality, and affect existing jobs at both companies.

    The organization has also thrown a second major issue into the debate: BTL’s long-unresolved severance and gratuity claims from hundreds of former employees. According to BCWJ, legal representatives for 146 ex-BTL workers submitted a Pre-Action Protocol Letter to the company on August 10, formalizing their outstanding claims for unpaid statutory benefits. While those individual claims are now moving through the national court system, BCWJ argues the unresolved liability creates a critical question that regulators and company leaders must address before the acquisition moves forward.

    “Before BTL commits $80 million to acquire another company, has it fully quantified and provided for its unresolved obligations to former workers?” the group asked in its statement.

    BCWJ is now calling on all relevant national oversight bodies – including BTL’s own leadership, the Social Security Board, the Public Utilities Commission, and Belize’s national Cabinet – to impose a full, unredacted scrutiny of the proposed transaction, rejecting any push for a quick approval without public disclosure. Closing its statement, the organization emphasized its core demand for accountability: “$80 million deserves answers. Show Belize the evidence.”

  • Commencement of the 2026–2027 Academic Year

    Commencement of the 2026–2027 Academic Year

    With the 2026 July–August summer vacation period drawing to a close, the Ministry of Education in Grenada has officially released a comprehensive advisory outlining all key logistics for the launch of the 2026–2027 academic year, extending a warm welcome to incoming and returning students, teaching faculty, school principals, and all campus support personnel. The official guidance is designed to address critical logistical details including staggered reopening timelines, adjusted campus schedules, updated public health and safety protocols, and required administrative preparations to guarantee a seamless transition back to in-person learning for all education community members.

    Breaking down the phased reopening timeline, the advisory first sets aside five dedicated staff preparation days, running from Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28 2026. During this window, school facilities will only be accessible to employed education staff, who will use the time to set up classrooms, align on curriculum plans, and complete all pre-term administrative tasks. Orientation sessions for all first-year and new incoming students are scheduled to take place within this same staff preparation week, with the Ministry advising all attendees to follow the specific timeline and guidance distributed by their individual schools. The official first day of instruction for the Michaelmas Term, when full regular academic schedules will go into effect immediately, is set for Monday, August 31, 2026.

    Beyond timelines, the advisory also clarifies expectations for student attire and course materials. All students are required to adhere to their school’s official uniform policy starting on the first day of classes. Lists of required school supplies tailored to each education level are available directly from individual campus administrative offices, to ensure families can access the most up-to-date, school-specific information. For families and guardians that receive support through the national School Uniform Assistance Programme, the Ministry encourages participants to cross-reference purchases with the official approved list of vendors and eligible supplies. This full list is currently published and accessible to the public on the Ministry of Education Grenada official Facebook page.

    The guidance notes that for all additional questions related to individual class schedules, orientation programming, extracurricular activity offerings, or other campus-specific policies, parents and guardians should reach out directly to their child’s school administrative office for prompt, accurate responses. In closing, the Ministry of Education expressed gratitude to students, parents, teachers, principals, and every stakeholder across Grenada’s education ecosystem for their ongoing collaboration and support, and shared that it anticipates a safe, productive, and successful 2026–2027 academic year for all members of the education community.

    This advisory was shared via NOW Grenada, which adds a standard disclaimer that the outlet is not liable for any opinions, statements, or third-party contributor content, and provides a direct channel for users to report any abusive content.

  • PM on official visit to State of Qatar

    PM on official visit to State of Qatar

    Grenada’s top executive is set to embark on a key international diplomatic mission next year, with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell leading a high-powered government delegation on a multi-stop tour that will include working engagements in Spain before moving on to an official visit to the State of Qatar from August 13 to 19, 2026.

    During his time in Doha, the prime minister is scheduled to hold a packed slate of closed-door and public high-level meetings with Qatari cabinet ministers, senior national government representatives, and leading stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. Accompanying Mitchell on the overseas mission are Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall, Grenadian Ambassador Andrea St Bernard, senior official Damian Dolland, and Consul General Ziya Rahaman. To ensure steady governance throughout the prime minister’s absence, Deputy Prime Minister Lennox Andrews will serve as acting head of government until Mitchell’s scheduled return to Grenada on August 19.

    This planned diplomatic trip marks a deliberate step forward in Grenada’s long-term strategy to deepen its global footprint and expand its network of international partnerships. According to an official statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, the tour aligns with the country’s priority to build stronger strategic cooperation with both Spain and Qatar across sectors critical to advancing Grenada’s core national development targets.

    Discussions between the Grenadian delegation and their Qatari hosts will center on seven key priority areas. First, participants will address critical funding support for Project Polaris, one of Grenada’s key national development initiatives. Second, the two sides will explore expanded bilateral cooperation on energy issues, spanning both renewable energy development and collaboration on hydrocarbon resources. Third, leaders will talk through opportunities to deepen partnership in the social sectors, including sports exchange programs and joint education initiatives. Fourth, the delegations will work to align coordination and voting priorities for shared engagement within multilateral global institutions. Fifth, the visit will advance plans for expanded people-to-people diplomatic exchanges and targeted government capacity-building programs. Finally, both sides will discuss pathways to stimulate private sector growth and unlock new cross-border investment cooperation between the two countries.

    This announcement of the upcoming visit confirms Grenada’s ongoing push to diversify its international alliances and secure new resources and partnerships to drive inclusive, sustainable domestic growth, as the island nation works toward its long-term development objectives.

  • Staatsolie vernieuwt AdeKUS-faciliteiten voor technisch onderwijs

    Staatsolie vernieuwt AdeKUS-faciliteiten voor technisch onderwijs

    In a major push to upgrade technical higher education in Suriname, state-owned energy firm Staatsolie has committed to fully funding the renovation of two long-neglected campus buildings at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS), aiming to deliver improved learning and practical training facilities for roughly 200 engineering students by the end of 2025.

    The official partnership agreement was signed by Patrick Peneux on behalf of AdeKUS, and Annand Jagesar, CEO of Staatsolie, who also carried out the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on August 13. The two facilities targeted for upgrades are the university’s aging wood workshop and mechanical engineering hall, both of which have fallen into severe disrepair over decades of use. The wood workshop has sat unused for years due to its unsafe, dilapidated condition; following renovation, it will be repurposed into new lecture space for electrical and mechanical engineering students. The existing mechanical engineering lecture and practical training halls, which have also deteriorated over time, will undergo a full overhaul as well.

    When construction wraps up by the end of the year, the upgraded facilities will provide approximately 200 students from AdeKUS’ Faculty of Technological Sciences (FTeW) with a safer, more functional environment for both theoretical coursework and hands-on practical training, addressing longstanding infrastructure gaps at the public university.

    This renovation project forms part of Staatsolie’s series of social and community development initiatives launched to celebrate the company’s 45th anniversary, which was commemorated in December 2024. All anniversary projects operate under the core motto “Empowering communities and institutions”.

    For Staatsolie, the education investment is far more than a corporate social responsibility project: it is a strategic response to the rapidly growing demand for skilled technical workers driven by Suriname’s emerging offshore oil and gas sector. As new energy operations expand across the country’s offshore waters, company leaders project that demand for well-trained technical professionals and specialized engineering expertise will continue to climb sharply in the coming years. This investment directly aligns with long-term efforts to build a local talent pipeline that can support the sector’s growth.

    This is not the first time Staatsolie has prioritized investment in technical and vocational education across Suriname. The company previously spearheaded the creation of the NATIN Oil and Gas Training Program, and has continuously invested in modernizing technical curricula and practical training facilities across the country. It also supports vocational training programs — including certified welding courses — through the Foundation for Labor Mobilization and Development. Additionally, through the SURICAP program, Staatsolie partners with multinational energy firms, the Surinamese government, local educational institutions and the private sector to strengthen the overall quality of technical and vocational education across the nation.

  • Ghana President John Mahama commends UWI during milestone visit

    Ghana President John Mahama commends UWI during milestone visit

    On August 3, the University of the West Indies (The UWI) opened its doors to Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama for a landmark visit that cements the deepening ties between African and Caribbean nations in the global fight for reparatory justice for the crimes of chattel slavery and native colonial genocide. The trip coincided with Jamaica’s 64th celebration of its independence from colonial rule, creating a powerful symbolic moment to highlight The UWI’s decades-long legacy of leading reparations advocacy, academic inquiry, and Pan-African development progress.

    Per an official press statement from the university, The UWI hosted the Ghanaian head of state at its Regional Headquarters to honor the collective work of the global reparations movement and broader Pan-African organizing initiatives. For more than half a century, the regional higher education institution has stood at the forefront of shaping the modern reparations campaign, driving progress through rigorous academic research, public outreach and education, grassroots advocacy, and evidence-based policy design. It has been widely credited by global stakeholders with transforming reparatory justice from a once-marginalized cause into a central topic of regional and international diplomatic discourse.

    During his address on campus, President Mahama delivered high praise for The UWI’s unwavering leadership in the global movement, singling out the university’s Centre for Reparation Research. The center has grown into a preeminent global hub that coordinates cutting-edge research, develops global policy frameworks, and leads public education efforts around the demand for reparatory justice. Mahama also spotlighted the critical work of The UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, who has guided the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s unified reparations strategy, noting that the global community is increasingly turning its attention to the need for formal recognition, legal accountability, and tangible redress for the historical atrocities of transatlantic chattel slavery and the genocide of Indigenous peoples under colonial rule.

    The visit carried unique personal and institutional meaning, beyond the diplomatic agenda. President Mahama is an alumnus of the University of Ghana, a sister institution that shares deep historic roots with The UWI. Both universities were established in 1948, and for 75 years have aligned around a shared mission of expanding educational access, fostering intellectual growth, and advancing self-determination for populations emerging from centuries of colonial domination.

    Welcoming President Mahama to the regional headquarters, Vice-Chancellor Beckles commended the Ghanaian leader’s outstanding work advancing the reparations cause on the global stage, particularly through his advocacy at the United Nations. “President Mahama has provided courageous and visionary leadership in elevating the cause of reparatory justice within the global community,” Beckles said in his remarks. “His efforts have helped secure unprecedented levels of international support for recognising chattel slavery as the gravest crime against humanity and have strengthened cooperation among nations committed to justice, development and human dignity.”

    Beckles added that recent diplomatic progress at the United Nations signals a critical shift in global public awareness and political commitment to the cause. He noted this shift reflects growing solidarity among CARICOM member states, the African Union, and aligned nations across Latin America and Asia that share a commitment to redressing historical colonial harm. Describing Mahama as “a presidential leader of the movement,” Beckles emphasized that coordinated collaboration between African and Caribbean political leaders is foundational to advancing the shared global agenda for reparatory justice. He also recognized the critical work of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who chairs CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Reparations, for her ongoing efforts to build broad international support for the movement.

    University officials noted that the visit further solidifies The UWI’s unique role as a living intellectual and institutional bridge connecting Africa and the Caribbean, positioning the institution as a leading contributor to global conversations on historical justice, human rights, and equitable sustainable development. As international attention on reparatory justice continues to rise at an unprecedented pace, The UWI reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to advancing the movement through independent research, inclusive global dialogue, and evidence-based policy that centers the needs of Caribbean communities and the broader African diaspora.

  • “I Grabbed His Mouth and Fought”: Guinea Grass Man Survives Crocodile Attack

    “I Grabbed His Mouth and Fought”: Guinea Grass Man Survives Crocodile Attack

    In the early hours of a Sunday morning in August 2026, a 29-year-old resident of Guinea Grass, Belize, walked away from a harrowing brush with death after a large crocodile attacked him while he swam at one of the village’s most frequented local recreation spots: New River Park.

    Leomar Narvallez, the attack survivor, recounted that the encounter came completely without warning. He had been swimming alongside other visitors in the river when he suddenly felt a heavy, powerful clamp lock around his head. Before he could react, the crocodile began shaking its prey violently, a common predatory behavior to tear flesh from victims. “I was in the river swimming when something grabbed my head,” Narvallez described in the aftermath of the attack. “Then it started shaking me, just like crocodiles do when they bite you and try to tear you apart. It shook my head twice – I never saw this coming at all.”

    Trapped underwater with his head still held firmly in the reptile’s jaws, Narvallez made a split-second decision that likely saved his life: instead of panicking, he would fight back. He pushed his hand against the crocodile’s teeth to work his head free of its grip, a struggle that lasted less than 10 seconds – six seconds, by his own count, with the entire attack wrapping up in under 20 seconds. Narvallez estimated the attacking crocodile measured between 9 and 10 feet long, and added that local reports had already confirmed a second, even larger crocodile living in the same stretch of river near the park.

    “The crocodile got off my head, and I immediately jumped to grab a tire that was hanging from a rope over the water to pull myself up,” he said. By that point, he was bleeding heavily from the bite wounds on his head. When he first alerted his friends who were at the park, they did not immediately understand the severity of his injuries. It was only when they turned on a light and saw him spitting blood that they realized how grave the situation was.

    Afraid the crocodile was still waiting nearby for another chance to attack, Narvallez told his friends not to approach him, and instead sent them to find a canoe. He clung to the tire for roughly 10 minutes, bleeding steadily, until relatives who lived close to the park arrived with a canoe to pull him to safety.

    Narvallez was rushed immediately to Northern Regional Hospital for emergency care. Doctors closed his head wounds with approximately 28 stitches, and while his hands were badly bruised from the struggle, he suffered no other life-altering or critical injuries. He was released from the hospital the same day as the attack, and is now recovering at home.

    Now, as he heals, Narvallez’s greatest priority is raising awareness of the ongoing danger at New River Park, a spot that local children visit regularly to swim and bathe throughout the day. He emphasized that once a crocodile has tasted human blood, it is far more likely to return to the same area to hunt again – and not everyone will be as lucky as he was to survive.

    “I really want to leave this message: everyone needs to be extremely careful right now,” Narvallez said. “That crocodile has tasted blood, it will stay around this spot until authorities catch and remove it. More people could get attacked, and they might not get out alive. There are so many little kids who come here to bathe every morning, all through the day, sometimes until 6 p.m. This is an extremely dangerous situation. I want to spread this safety warning to everyone in the village, especially families – don’t let your children come here right now. If that crocodile catches a child, we can’t predict how bad it will end.”