BELMOPAN, Belize, Aug 26, CMC – The Belize government says it is supporting the ongoing investigation being conducted by the police to determine the circumstances under which a Belizean national was sent to Guatemala
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it has directed the Embassy of Belize in Guatemala to engage with Guatemalan authorities to obtain any available information regarding Joseph Budna in support of the investigation.
“However, the Ministry can confirm that there is no evidence to support the assertion that Guatemalan authorities entered Belize to apprehend Mr. Budna,” the ministry said, adding that it “remains committed to upholding the rights and welfare of all Belizean nationals”.
It said that it has also instructed the Embassy of Belize in Guatemala to provide consular support to Budna “to ensure that he receives the medical assistance needed and that his human rights are protected”.
Media reports here said that Budna, known for his outspoken presence on social media, went live from Orange Walk on Friday night. But just minutes after signing off, he vanished.
The reports said that what followed was a whirlwind of rumors, shocking claims, and a dramatic twist that landed him in Guatemalan custody.
Police Commissioner, Dr. Richard Rosado, told reporters “our initial investigation revealed, and from the footage, the information we are getting several description of several different vehicles and we have to admit that while our checkpoints were out at strategic locations, we cannot ascertain where that vehicle that took Budna went to.”
Asked if there is there anything to confirm what Budna is alleging that he was abducted by police officers, the top cop replied “let me be unequivocally clear, the police department was not involved in the apprehension or alleged extradition of Mr. Budna.
“Serious allegations were made and form our initial investigation, what is being alleged was not conducted by our police officers or sanctioned by the senior command of the Belize Police Department.”
Prime Minister John Briceño said that police are carrying their investigation, “so I don’t think we should be speculating.
“Let police do their investigation. The abduction of any citizen in this country is a serious one,” he said, dismissing suggestions that the police are being used to silence Budna.
“That is not true. That is not true.”
Meanwhile, the leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Shyne Barrow, has condemned what he describes as the possible “extra-judicial kidnapping” of Budna and his transfer into Guatemalan custody.
Barrow said the UDP is “gravely concerned” over reports that either foreign or local actors may have forcibly removed Budna from Belize and handed him over to Guatemalan authorities.
“While we do not condone the heinous crimes such as rape, child molestation, and kidnapping Mr. Budna has been convicted of in Belize and Guatemala, we condemn any breach of sovereignty, human and civil rights by external actors or internal forces who facilitated such,” Barrow aid.
Budna, who escaped from a Guatemalan prison in 2019 while serving a combined 55-year sentence, was taken back to Guatemala last weekend.
Barrow stressed that Belize and Guatemala share an extradition treaty, and any lawful transfer of Budna should have followed due process.
CMC/ah/ir/2025