分类： society

In a dramatic turn of events, 25-year-old Tafaree Sanchez from Vernon Street, Belize City, has been formally charged with three counts of attempted murder following a violent highway shooting incident that occurred several weeks ago. According to law enforcement officials, Sanchez was not acting alone; he was allegedly accompanied by a 17-year-old minor during the pursuit of a light blue Chevy Equinox along the Phillip Goldson Highway near mile three. The situation escalated near Reimer’s Feed Mill, where the suspects reportedly exited their vehicle and opened fire on the SUV. The chase persisted, culminating in another round of gunfire in front of Maheia’s United. Two individuals, 36-year-old Glenford Reed and 28-year-old Joshua Augustine, sustained injuries during the attack. The primary target, Jahreem ‘32’ Staine, managed to escape unharmed. The minor was apprehended shortly after the incident, while Sanchez remained at large until his recent arrest, following the issuance of a wanted poster by the police.

The Faber family of Belize is grappling with an unimaginable series of tragedies and bureaucratic hurdles as they attempt to lay two loved ones to rest. Just ten days after the brutal murder of Shaniele Faber, a mother of four whose dismembered body was discovered in a garbage drum, her 18-year-old son, Shamar Faber, succumbed to complications from a gunshot wound sustained in March. The family, already reeling from emotional devastation, now faces further distress due to delays in funeral arrangements. After receiving Shamar’s death certificate, they were abruptly instructed to return it for an autopsy, a decision that has postponed the funeral and added financial strain. Shamar’s aunt, Shawnette Tillett, expressed frustration over the hospital’s handling of the situation, citing a lack of communication and accountability. The family has already incurred significant funeral expenses and is urging the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital to expedite the process so they can proceed with the funerals. Hospital CEO Chandra Cansino has acknowledged the issue and promised to investigate further.

A young single mother, Jessica Bencomo, has come forward with harrowing allegations of workplace sexual assault, demanding justice after her claims were reportedly dismissed by both her employer and local authorities. The 29-year-old pharmacy assistant detailed her traumatic experience on social media, recounting how her boss allegedly attempted to kiss her on October 7, 2025, despite her repeated protests. Jessica claims that when she reported the incident to her supervisor, her concerns were ignored, leaving her feeling unsupported and vulnerable. Compounding her distress, she alleges that the Belize Police Department downplayed the severity of her case, classifying it as “common assault” rather than sexual harassment. Now unemployed and struggling to provide for her children, Jessica is urging the Belize Police Department and the Pharmacy Association of Belize to intervene and ensure accountability. In an emotional interview, Jessica emphasized her determination to be heard, stating, “I need to report this because I’m really scared. I am emotionally distraught.” Her case has sparked outrage and calls for systemic change in addressing workplace harassment and assault.

A contentious land dispute in Independence Village has escalated dramatically following the revelation of Ministry of Natural Resources documents that expose irregularities in the approval process. Sherene Garbutt, a local resident, claims she was blindsided after discovering that a 22-acre parcel of land she had applied for was granted to another applicant, Charles Anthony Price, on the same day his application was submitted. Garbutt, who had spent three years navigating the ministry’s procedures, had already received permission to survey the land, completed the surveys, and submitted her lease application. However, she was informed earlier this year that the land was no longer available. The documents indicate that Price’s application was approved on April 29, 2025, and a lease was issued last year, valid until a title is granted. The land was reportedly sold for a mere $10,000, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the process. Garbutt, who had applied for 20 acres, is now preparing to take legal action against the Ministry of Natural Resources, arguing that her application was still pending when the land was transferred. The case has sparked widespread concern over the integrity of land allocation procedures in the region.

A Nicaraguan refugee, Eric Omar Hernández Cruz, has come forward with allegations of being scammed and threatened in Belize, prompting a response from the Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB). Cruz claims he paid $500 to two men for ‘amnesty documents’ and later faced life-threatening intimidation. HRCB has clarified the roles of the accused individuals, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability. One of the men was an administrative assistant for HRCB, terminated due to budgetary cuts, while the other worked with Help for Progress and was also dismissed. HRCB stated it was informed of the allegations by UNHCR in June 2025, though the initial report was received in March. Cruz reported the threats to the police, suspecting the two men were behind them. HRCB noted this is the first instance of such allegations involving asylum seekers. The case remains under investigation, with further updates expected.