Budna Report Lands on PM’s Desk as Opposition Cries ‘Cover-Up’

The Budna Report was submitted to Prime Minister John Briceño on Tuesday. A press release from his office later that day acknowledged the need for an independent investigation. The statement also went on to say that Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado, who was sidelined for forty-five days, had been reinstated immediately. But the opposition isn’t convinced by what the Government of Belize has put forward. In fact, the United Democratic Party is calling the Joseph Budna case a ‘national disgrace,’ accusing the Briceño administration of turning Cabinet into judge and jury. Tracy Taegar-Panton even suggests what happened amounts to a state-sanctioned kidnapping and a cover-up. So, who is the Prime Minister protecting and why? And what does this say about transparency and the rule of law in Belize?

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“It is, in my humble view, a national disgrace and signals what has now become the hallmark of this Briceño administration. There are always more questions than answers in how this administration manages or grossly mismanages the affairs of the people. The powers, in the case of Joseph Budna, reeks, in my opinion, of a state-sanctioned kidnapping and now a coverup. The question is, who is John Briceno protecting and why? If indeed the government wishes to restore any semblance of public confidence, then it must address this matter with openness and the highest degree of transparency. Let’s look at the issue of rule of law and due process. Cabinet, as far as I am aware, has no investigative powers. It’s role is policymaking, not policing, not prosecuting. In this Briceno administration, they have become investigator, prosecutor, judge, and jury by holding to their chest this police inquiry report.”