Opposition Slams Silence on Security and Scandal

Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton is raising tough questions following the Joseph Budna abduction, after reports that it was an alleged state-ordered kidnapping, and a string of Guatemalan military incursions. With no mention of the Sarstoon issue in the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation address, Belizeans are left wondering, is transparency being traded for silence? What happens when those sworn to protect us are accused of being the perpetrators? And why is the government silent on growing threats at our borders?

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“Reports of alleged police involvement, widely believed to be a state-ordered kidnapping, has sent shockwaves across Belize. We call for accountability and we call for an independent investigation. When those sworn to protect us become the perpetrators, when the government refuses transparency suspicion grows and the people are left unprotected. One of the most glaring omissions from the Prime Minister’s address was the Sarstoon, no mention whatsoever of the worsening aggression by Guatemala. No update on the promised Sarstoon Protocol and no explanation of why, in just a few days there were three separate incidents of Guatemalan military aggression. How can a true state of the nation speech completely ignore the subject that is on the mind of every Belizean? Belizeans want to know where we stand, not be dismissed with silence and insult.”