分类： society

A Belize Coast Guard officer, Eusabio Espinoza, is under intense scrutiny following allegations of assaulting a 43-year-old laborer in Orange Walk. The incident, which occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday on Progress Street, involved Espinoza reportedly using a Glock 19 pistol, a weapon not issued by the Coast Guard, to strike the victim. Espinoza fled the scene but was later apprehended by authorities. The victim is now demanding justice for the attack. This case has drawn significant attention, especially as Espinoza had recently accused the Northern Regional Hospital of negligence in the death of his 92-year-old father. Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Elton Bennett confirmed that Espinoza is currently on active duty while awaiting the charge sheet, which will trigger an internal administrative process. Bennett emphasized that once the charge sheet is received, the Coast Guard will determine the appropriate disciplinary actions, separate from any criminal charges Espinoza may face.

In a significant legal development, Nicaraguan surgeon Dr. Carlos Soborio Coze has been exonerated after a Belize court dismissed the charges against him. The 51-year-old general surgeon, previously employed at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.), was accused of administering a harmful substance to a colleague during a social event. However, Chief Magistrate upheld a ‘no case’ submission presented by Coze’s attorney, Dickie Bradley, citing insufficient evidence to support the prosecution’s claims. The court highlighted critical inconsistencies in witness testimonies, unresolved questions regarding video evidence, and the absence of a definitive connection between the substance and the accused. Without concrete proof of administration, the charges were deemed unsustainable. Following the ruling, Dr. Coze was released from custody on Monday afternoon, marking the end of a contentious legal battle.

The tragic death of 61-year-old Dawn Bernard has left her family in profound grief, as they grapple with the shocking circumstances surrounding her passing. Bernard succumbed to her injuries on November 17, a week after being found with severe burns on Lakeview Street on November 10. Her cousin, Suzette Marsden, emotionally recounted their close bond, describing Bernard as more of a sister than a relative. Marsden revealed that she had often advised Bernard to move on from a troubled relationship, emphasizing that life offers new opportunities beyond past heartbreaks. The family remains in disbelief, as they never anticipated such a devastating outcome. Police are actively investigating the case, which initially involved charges of attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm against Bernard’s common-law husband, 35-year-old Frederick Wagner. Authorities have indicated that if a pending post-mortem examination confirms her death resulted from the injuries sustained, Wagner’s charges will be upgraded to murder. This case underscores the grim reality of domestic violence, as police confirmed Bernard had previously filed a report against Wagner in 2018, though no further complaints were made thereafter.

In a significant development for Belize, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a 13.5% increase in the Mean Water Rate (MWR) for Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), effective next year. This adjustment, though lower than the 20% hike initially proposed by BWSL, will lead to an approximate 5.5% rise in customers’ monthly water bills. The PUC emphasized that the new pricing structure aims to ensure fairness, particularly for low-consumption households. Notably, the current flat rate of $8.72 for usage up to 1,000 gallons will be replaced with a per-gallon charge, marking a shift toward more equitable billing practices. Additionally, the PUC has greenlit a $130 million capital investment program designed to upgrade infrastructure, enhance water production, improve energy efficiency, and bolster security measures. A further $20 million has been allocated to expand water production and storage facilities in Placencia, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro, addressing the demands of growing populations. BWSL has also been authorized to increase contributions for water main extensions, with caps set at $6,000 on the mainland and $10,000 on the islands. While household water bills will see an uptick, the PUC has opted not to raise other administrative fees. Commercial water use, however, remains under the jurisdiction of the National Integration Water Resources Authority (NIWRA) and was not addressed in this decision. These changes follow a comprehensive review of BWSL’s 2026 Full Tariff Review Proceedings, which included public consultations and rigorous assessments of technical and financial data.