Opposition Leader Demands Answers Over Budna’s Detention

Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says that the United Democratic Party (UDP) Parliamentarian Caucus “is gravely alarmed by disturbing reports circulating that Guatemalan authorities may have crossed into Belizean territory to forcibly remove a Belizean citizen, Mr. Joseph Budna.”

Panton warned that if true, the incident would amount to a serious breach of Belize’s sovereignty, a threat to the rule of law, and a danger to the safety of its citizens.

“Such an incursion cannot and must not go unanswered,” Panton said.

Panton is calling on Prime Minister John Briceño, Minister of National Security, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to confirm whether Guatemalan authorities indeed entered Belize and apprehended Budna. she also pressed for details on what measures are being taken to safeguard his rights under both Belizean and international law.

“Belizeans cannot be left in the dark when the sanctity of our borders and the dignity of our people are at stake. Our democracy is already fragile, and our sovereignty must never be compromised,” Panton added.

As we have reported, the Belize Police Department has launched an investigation into an incident involving Joseph Ryan Budna, which occurred on Friday night in Orange Walk Town.

A witness told police they saw Budna in a confrontation before he was forced into a dark-coloured SUV with Belize City license plates. Investigators have since secured the area, impounded a vehicle of interest, and are reviewing surveillance footage.

Guatemala’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) later confirmed Budna is in their custody under a 2019 arrest warrant for escape, but have not said how he was detained. Adding to the controversy, an audio recording obtained by News 5 allegedly features Budna claiming he was abducted by Belize police, beaten, and handed over at the border.