Venezuelan welder remanded over death of man at Iwokrama

A Venezuelan national has been remanded to prison after being charged with the murder of a 30-year-old man whose death occurred at the Iwokrama Protected Area in Region Eight earlier this year.

Jose Armando Alsena Coll, a 31-year-old welder who resides on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse via Zoom at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to answer to the charge.

Coll is accused of murdering Rodwell La Cruz, known as “Kabaloo,” a resident of Warapoka Village in the North West District, Region One.

According to police, the alleged offence occurred on March 10, 2026, at the Iwokrama Protected Area along the Siparuni River in Region Eight.

The murder charge was laid contrary to common law after Coll was arrested on May 28 and formally charged on June 2.

As the offence is indictable, Coll was not required to enter a plea when the charge was read to him. Bail was denied, and he was remanded to prison.

The matter has been adjourned until June 26, 2026, for further proceedings.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding La Cruz’s death led to the arrest and subsequent charge of the Venezuelan national nearly three months after the alleged incident.

The case will continue before the courts later this month.