Budna Maintains Allegation of Police Role in Abduction

Joseph Budna isn’t backing down. During a meeting with Belize’s embassy rep in Guatemala, he doubled down on his claim that Belizean police officers were involved in his abduction from Orange Walk. It’s a serious allegation; one he’s been making since news of his kidnapping first broke. So, does this call for an independent investigation, one that leaves the Belize Police Department out of it? We put that question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“We have a police investigation that is underway, an investigation that has to be completed. Foreign Affairs is providing whatever information is required of us to that investigation. Once that investigation is completed, then we’ll be in a position to determine whether or not what you are saying is accurate.”

 

Reporter

“You agree that that investigation should be independent?”

 

Francis Fonseca

“We may reach that point where based on the course of the investigation a determination is made that this has to be done outside of the police department, but we’re not there yet. The invest we have to allow the investigation to follow it’s course. And once we’ve established, certain things, then I think we can determine whether or not we need independent special investigation.”

 

Paul Lopez

“In his meeting with our representatives in Guatemala. Did he bring up, assert or tell representatives that police officers were involved in his transportation to Arenal and then subsequently into Guatemala.”

 

Francis Fonseca

“Yeah, I think he’s been consistent in making that allegation. And I think he did repeat that to the officers from the embassy who visited with him. So, yes, that was said.”

 

Paul Lopez

“And that forms a part of the investigation as a part of the official report, correct?”

 

Francis Fonseca

 “Absolutely.”