Belizean Officials Check on Joseph Budna in Guatemala Prison

Tonight, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca is confirming that Belizean officials have checked in on Joseph Budna in Guatemala. Fonseca says two representatives from Belize’s embassy met with Budna to make sure he’s in good health and that his rights are being respected. They even offered him legal representation, but Budna told them he’s hiring his own attorney. The question still remains, who orchestrated the abduction of Joseph Budna and subsequent handing over to Guatemalan authorities in Arenal Village? Surveillance footage has surfaced showing that three men attacked Budna near the Orange Walk Police Station. He was struck multiple times before the trio carried him into a waiting vehicle. Police say their investigation is still ongoing and they are yet to provide any further update, almost two weeks later. Minister Fonseca spoke to reporters today from a foreign relations perspective.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Two officers from the Embassy in Guatemala, Belize’s Embassy in Guatemala visited with Mr. Budna. They provided us with a comprehensive report on that meeting. They described it as a very positive meeting, a very useful meeting. They were there, of course, primarily to ensure that Mr. Budna was in good health. So, they were able to speak with him about that and address some of his concerns as it relates to certain medications that he needs and requires. So they are working on that, and they had an opportunity to speak to the director of the facility that he’s in, the prison that he’s in. And they were assured that his medical needs were being met and based on everything they observed and heard, and even what Mr. Budna reported to them they’re confident and assured that he’s being treated properly, his rights have not been in any way infringed upon there at the prison. And then the second objective of that meeting was to ensure that Mr. Budna had proper legal representation. They were able to establish that that is being worked on. Mr. Budna indicated to them that he would be getting his own representation, legal representation. He was assured and informed that if he did not get legal representation, he should inform us and we would try to help him with that. And of course, he can also be appointed a public defender by the Guatemalan authorities. So from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs those really are our obligations. One, to ensure that he is in good health. And two, to ensure that his legal representation is in place.”