After Sudden Exit, José Mai Rejects Budna Abduction Claims

When José Mai resigned as Agriculture Minister in November, many assumed it was tied to the Joseph Budna abduction. Budna was beaten and taken from outside the Orange Walk Police Station, an incident some reports linked to state actors’ and an Orange Walk politician. Mai’s name has been floated, but tonight he’s pushing back hard. He flatly denies any role, calling the claims false and offensive.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Former Minister of Agriculture

“I have to not worry about all the noise on the market and all the Facebook claims. Some are being very rude. Some are very mean but that’s expected. That’s human behavior. I used to, I used to oppose the UDP a lot when I was in Opposition, so I expect them to do the same. But some people have been extremely offensive, extremely provocative, extremely disrespectful.”

 

Shane Williams

“There’s also them trying to alluding that you had something to do with the extraction of Joseph Budna. Did you have anything to do with that?

 

Jose Abelardo Mai

“No, sir. No, sir. As far as I know, Mr. Budna was a reporter. One time he interviewed me on a matter, but I’ve never had anything to do with that, with that matter, sir.”