BREAKING: Kidnapped Guatemalan Girl Rescued in Belize

A 14-year-old Guatemalan girl who had been missing for more than three months has been rescued during a joint police operation in southern Belize.

According to a staff officer at the Belize Police Department, ASP Stacy Smith, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Tuesday. “A joint police department and police special assignment group team successfully executed Operation Safe Return at a farm located behind San Roman Village in the Stann Creek District,” Smith said.

“The operation was launched after intelligence was received as to the location of the minor, and given the terrain involved, a decision was made to include the police special assignment group,” Smith added.

The teenager, who had been reported missing in Petén, Guatemala, in January 2026, was found inside a building on the farm. “She was found inside a building on a farm behind San Roman Village,” Smith confirmed.

Police say the main suspect, identified as Jose Gilberto Duarte, managed to escape and is currently being sought. “The suspect… was able to flee. However, we were able to rescue the female as part of the investigation,” Smith said.

“She was held against her will, so it’s a kidnapping case,” Smith clarified, adding that the minor had been in captivity for over 100 days.

Full details tonight on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.