Glaring Omissions in Government’s Response in the Budna Matter

While the Government of Belize has taken swift administrative action in the Budna abduction matter, the official press release issued today leaves several critical questions unanswered.

Despite confirming that Prime Minister John Briceño received the Police Department’s investigative report last Friday, the release fails to explain why the report was deemed incomplete.

Sources close to the matter tell us that the Prime Minister was handed a mere two-page document, which reportedly lacked key findings and supporting evidence. We are told that key witnesses were not interviewed including the police officer who approached the kidnappers in front of the Orange Walk Police Station and the police officer stationed at the Arenal border.

Deputy Commissioner Suzzette Anderson has been tasked in leading the completion of the investigation. This move effectively places the responsibility for investigating the Police Department’s own conduct back into the hands of the department itself. Critics argue that this undermines the credibility of the process. How can the police investigate themselves in a matter of such public interest?

The press release makes no mention of the security footage that is believed to be central to the Budna case. There is no commitment from the Prime Minister or the Ministry of Home Affairs to release this footage to the public or even confirm its existence.