UDP Leader Raises Alarm Over Budna’s Detention

United Democratic Party (UDP) Leader Shyne Barrow has issued a strong statement condemning what he describes as the possible “extra-judicial kidnapping” of the notorious Joseph Ryan Budna and his transfer into Guatemalan custody.

Barrow said the UDP is “gravely concerned” over reports that either foreign or local actors may have forcibly removed Budna from Belize and handed him over to Guatemalan authorities.

“While we do not condone the heinous crimes such as rape, child molestation, and kidnapping Mr. Budna has been convicted of in Belize and Guatemala, we condemn any breach of sovereignty, human and civil rights by external actors or internal forces who facilitated such,” Barrow stated.

Budna, who escaped from a Guatemalan prison in 2019 while serving a combined 55-year sentence, was confirmed over the weekend to be back in Guatemalan custody.

Barrow stressed that Belize and Guatemala share an extradition treaty, and any lawful transfer of Budna should have followed due process.

The UDP leader also pointed to circulating audio recordings in which a voice, said to be Budna’s, claims he was abducted by Belizean police officers outside the Orange Walk Police Station, beaten, and then handed over at the Arenal border crossing.

Barrow warned that such actions, if true, could set a dangerous precedent. “If one Belizean can be abducted by foreign or state agents, then we are all at risk,” he said.

He also suggested Budna’s case could be politically motivated, pointing out that Budna had gained a large social media following where he frequently accused the government of corruption. “Budna’s abduction could be seen by objective Belizeans as an attempt by the state to silence voices of dissent,” Barrow argued.

As we have reported, the Belize Police Department has launched an investigation into an incident involving Joseph Ryan Budna, which occurred on Friday night in Orange Walk Town.

A witness told police they saw Budna in a confrontation before he was forced into a dark-coloured SUV with Belize City license plates. Investigators have since secured the area, impounded a vehicle of interest, and are reviewing surveillance footage.

Guatemala’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC) later confirmed Budna is in their custody under a 2019 arrest warrant for escape, but have not said how he was detained. Adding to the controversy, an audio recording obtained by News 5 allegedly features Budna claiming he was abducted by Belize police, beaten, and handed over at the border.