Kidnapping of Joseph Budna
2025 kidnapping in Belize
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At about 8:30 or 9:00 pm CT on 22 August 2025, on Hospital Crescent in Orange Walk Town, Belize, 45 year old Joseph Budna[i] was abducted by three unidentified men in a blue Chevy Equinox. Press located him the following afternoon in Melchor de Mencos, Peten, Guatemala, in the custody of that country's authorities. Budna, a Belizean national, immediately alleged that his abductors had been Belizean police officers, and that they had unlawfully spirited him across the border to their Guatemalan counterparts. These mysterious circumstances and provocative allegations sparked significant interest and controversy in politics, the press, and the public at large.
- Hospital Crescent, Orange Walk, Orange Walk, Belize
- 18.08349°N 88.55959°W
Belizean police (centre) on duty in 2018 | |
 | |
| Date | 22 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | ca 8:30 or ca 9:00 pm CT |
| Location |
|
| Type | Kidnapping (official); state-sponsored extrajudicial extradition (unofficial, alleged) |
| Motive | Unknown (official); to censor a prominent critic of government and police (unofficial, alleged) |
| Target | 1 man (Budna) |
| Perpetrators | 3 unidentified men (official); Belizean police (unofficial, alleged) |
| Injuries | 1 (Budna) |
| Missing | 1 (Budna) |
| Charges | 0 (Feb 2026) |
| Litigation | Ongoing (Feb 2026) |
As of February 2026, the case remains unsolved, officially (no suspects have been named, arrested, or charged). Unofficially, though, press leaks and public speculation in Belize have tended to lend credence to Budna's allegations, making this a suspected (unconfirmed) case of state-sponsored extrajudicial extradition. The political scandal there has notably led to mandatory leave for a Commissioner of Police (a first for the country).
Background
In 2025, Joseph Budna[i] was a 45 year old blogger, social media personality, and purported[ii] freelance journalist based in Trial Farm, Orange Walk. He rose to prominence in the 2010s for his reporting, public antics,[1] and varied run-ins with the law. The latter were especially extensive: pending charges in six cases,[2] convictions in a further three,[3] two prison breaks,[4] and various other encounters with police.[5] The former (his reporting) was notably brash and critical of police and political figures.[6]
By then, police in Orange Walk had already distinguished themselves from those elsewhere in Belize for their brutality and abuses, becoming one of five police entities in the country to earn a US Leahy sanction in 2019.[7] Notably, this extended to abuses against journalists: Vejea Alvarez (Love FM) in 2021,[8] and Marisol Amaya (Krem TV) in 2017.[9]
Kidnapping
At circa 7:45 or 8:15 pm CT on 22 August 2025,[10] Joseph Budna[i] began livestreaming on Facebook from a spot near the police station in Orange Walk, Orange Walk.[11] Some 45 minutes later,[10] Budna abruptly ended his livestream after looking about his surroundings and noting,[12] "I heard something just now. I heard somebody say Budna. Nobody's around. Let me go ... Let me move from here now ... Anyway, bye, bye, bye, bye. Come on back in a while".[13]
At approximately 8:30 or 9:00 pm[iii] on Hospital Crescent ("a strone's throw" from the police station[14]),[15] Budna was approached by three unidentified men who forced him into a blue[iv] Chevy Equinox[v] bearing Belize City licence plates.[16] The scuffle lasted mere minutes,[17] with bystanders attempting but failing to intervene.[18] Notably, later press leaks (including CCTV footage) seemingly confirmed that a uniformed (on duty) police officer responded to the (loud) skirmish, conversed for a bit with one of the aggressors, and shortly returned to the station sans any attempt at intervening (other than to get a concerned civilian to back off).[19]
Allegedly, the kidnappers drove Budna to Arenal, Cayo,[20] where they handed him over to Guatemalan police in Arenal, Peten "in the very late hours of Friday night [22 or 23 August]".[21]
Aftermath
In Guatemala
Joseph Budna[i] was detained by Policía Nacional Civil officers on 22 or 23 August in Arenal, Peten.[22] Details of said detention varied. Budna claimed he had been handed over to Guatemalan police hours after his kidnapping (circa midnight of 22–23 August).[23] Guatemalan authorities initially declined to furnish details,[24] but later claimed Budna had been detained "around noon on [23 August] when local officers observed he was walking in a 'suspicious manner'",[25] and arrested under warrant once positively identified via Interpol.[25] On 23 August, Budna was transferred to Melchor, Peten,[25] where a medical doctor (Rafael Aguilar) certified his injuries did not require hospitalisation (as he had "exhibited numerous injuries" when detained).[26] Later that afternoon, Guatemalan press reported Budna had been apprehended in Arenal, Peten, pursuant to a 2019 warrant for his arrest,[27] with the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores "stress[ing] that the matter is in the hands of the Ministerio de Gobernación, without offering further details".[28] By 25 August, Budna had been transferred to Centro de Detención Preventiva para Hombres, a high-security prison in Zona 18, Guatemala City.[29]
In Belize
At circa 9:30 or 10:00 pm on 22 August, a Facebook user made a public post claiming Budna had been kidnapped.[30] Press broke the news the following noon, after police unofficially confirmed an active investigation into an "incident" on Hospital Crescent involving Budna.[31]
On 24 August, the Police Department "acknowledge[d] the significant public interest in this case and the concerns raised through social media platforms" by officially confirming they had launched an investigation "into an incident involving Mr Ryan Joseph Budna",[32] pursuant to a police report filed by an alleged eyewitness.[33] They further confirmed Budna was in Guatemalan custody,[32] and revealed a "vehicle of interest" and surveillance footage were in their possession.[34] That same day: News 5 obtained an audio recording "allegedly featur[ing] Budna claiming he was abducted by Belize police officers outside the Orange Walk Police Station after a live media report [and that] he was beaten, transported to Arenal on the border, and handed over to Guatemalan authorities";[35] the Opposition (including Tracy Panton, Moses Barrow) raised alarm over the possibility of state or foreign involvement in the alleged kidnapping, noting, "if one Belizean can be abducted by foreign or state agents, then we are all at risk".[36]
By 25 August, a second audio recording had surfaced, allegedly featuring Budna reiterating his prior allegations and further claiming his kidnappers' SUV (with Belize City plates) had been tailing him since the night of 21 August.[37] That same day: Budna's mother (Katherine Williams) gave credence to these claims,[38] further alleging her son had been targeted for his outspoken criticism of government;[39] the Commissioner (Richard Rosado) gave a press conference on the case,[40] stating, "let me be unequivocally clear, the Police Department was not involved in the apprehension or the alleged extradition of Mr Budna";[41] the Foreign Ministry reiterated their support for the ongoing police investigation,[42] stated "the Ministry can confirm that there is no evidence to support the assertion that Guatemalan authorities entered Belize to apprehend Mr Budna",[43] and noted that Budna was receiving consular support;[44] the Prime Minister (John Briceno) stated, "the government did not and would never sanction any such thing [extrajudicial extradition] on any citizen of this country".[45] In the days following: Budna phoned 7News from prison to expand or double down on claims made in the said audio recordings;[46] he and the press expressed misgivings regarding the Commissioner's account of the kidnapping, with 7News finding "a number of glaring inconsistencies and telling deflections";[47] the MP for Orange Walk East (Kevin Bernard) refused to comment on the case;[48] the MP for Orange Walk South (Jose Mai) denied involvement;[49] Cabinet reportedly discussed the matter.[50]
First leaks
On 28 August, 7News reported that, according to "reliable reports",[51] surveillance footage showed on-duty police exiting the police station and responding to Budna's kidnapping in progress, being waved off, and returning to the station.[51] (Budna had claimed this had occurred,[51] whilst the Commissioner had specifically denied it.) On 2 September, they reported that, according to "credible reports",[52] the Officer Commanding of Orange Walk (ASP Armando Dubon) had received information regarding an SUV which had been tailing Budna prior to his kidnapping (as Budna had claimed and the Commissioner denied),[52] and had had it searched "only to find that police were driving it".[52] The following evening, they leaked surveillance footage which seemingly showed an on-duty (uniformed) police officer present at the scene of the kidnapping as it unfolded.[53] Some days later, Budna positively identified PC Barrington Barry Flowers[vi] as one of his kidnappers to 7News.[54]
In response to said reports: three media houses (Channel 7, Channel 5, X-TV) publicly called on the Police Department to release the surveillance tapes in their possession;[55] Budna's mother (Williams) called for an independent (non-police) probe and the Commissioner's resignation;[56] the Association of Defence Attorneys and well-known lawyers (Arthur Saldivar, Richard Bradley) called for an independent probe and the tapes' release;[57] the Amandala directly asked the PM to release the tapes (but were rebuffed);[58] the Opposition (Moses Barrow, Tracy Panton) called for an independent probe, the tapes' release, and the Home Minister's and Commissioner's removal;[59] the Trade Union Congress called for a commission of inquiry;[60] UNIBAM called for the tapes' release;[61] the National Perspective joined calls for the tapes' release and an independent, public inquiry;[62] the Network of NGOs voiced their support for an independent probe.[63] In addition: the Foreign Minister (Francis Fonseca) conceded that an independent inquiry might be possible after the police investigation concluded and "once we’ve established certain things";[64] the Home Minister (Kareem Musa) called the kidnapping a "crime",[65] adding that it warranted an independent investigation,[66] and stating his support for the tapes' release.[67]
Police reports
On 4 September, the PM (Briceno) directed the Home Minister (Musa) to update his office on the case by the ensuing day.[68] On 8 September, the PM confirmed timely receipt (on 5 September) of the preliminary police report on "the Budna matter".[69] It was found "to be incomplete and, therefore, unsatisfactory".[70] Consequently, the Commissioner (Rosado) was directed to take an immediate 45-day leave of absence,[71] PC Barrington Flowers[vi] was placed on interdiction,[72] and DCP Suzette Anderson was tasked with completing the police investigation into the kidnapping.[73] This was deemed a tepid response by some (Opposition, press, Budna, the public).[74]
On 30 September, ACP (formerly DCP) Anderson submitted her completed report to the PM,[75] making two recommendations (that an independent investigation be conducted,[76] and that certain police officers be gagged[77]), both accepted by Cabinet,[78] and finding no evidence implicating Commissioner Rosado (whose immediate return from leave was therefore requested and accepted).[79] This was likewise deemed inadequate by some (Opposition, press, Bradley, Saldivar).[80] On 27 October, the PM revealed the Attorney General (Anthony Sylvestre) had advised Cabinet that there was no statutory provision for a criminal investigation not led by police,[81] such that the earlier decision to have an independent investigation had been reversed,[82] with the PM now leaning towards forwarding the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cheryl-Lynn Vidal) instead (agreed to by Cabinet the next day[83]).[84] This, too, was ill received by some (press, Trade Union Congress).[85]
On 12 November, the DPP confirmed receipt of the Anderson report,[86] noting there was "less than nothing" of substance in the file,[87] but that her team were nonetheless still working out next steps.[88] On 10 December, the PM tentatively called the kidnapping a "crime",[89] and strongly criticised Budna ("a monster") and the press ("sensational").[90]
Cover-up speculation
On 2 December, 7News revealed they had "received multiple credible reports of police officers being induced to give false statements which ended up in the 'less than nothing' file [Anderson report] that was sent to the DPP".[91] The next day, news broke of an anonymous GI3 constable (later identified as Gabriel Pou[92]) seeking to challenge their 3 November transfer to the police station in Mahogany Heights, Belize,[93] alleging the move was punitive given they had "specific, incriminating information concerning high-ranking individuals involved in the highly sensitive Budna kidnapping matter".[94] On 9 December, reports surfaced of a second officer (sergeant Joel Grinage) seeking to challenge their transfer to Roaring Creek, Cayo (allegedly ordered after they had "made contact with a key officer involved in the Budna cover up", per 7News).[95] The next day, 7News obtained an audio recording allegedly featuring corporal Carlos Choco (now identified as the on-duty officer who responded to the kidnapping in progress[96]) confiding to a colleague about how he was urged to give investigators a false statement.[97] When asked about a possible cover-up on 12 December, the PM stated, "it could be [that there is one], it could not be, I don’t know. I’ve not spoken to them [alleged whistleblowers], but I believe that’s something that, probably, the Commissioner of Police would be in a better position to answer [address]".[98] The DPP, on the other hand, revealed on 17 December that they were now looking at perversion of justice charges.[99] On 12 January 2026, the Commissioner declined to comment, but encouraged potential whistleblowers "to come forward".[100] On 19 January, the PM urged them to "either step up or shut up".[101]
Litigation
On 4 September, a team of lawyers (led by Arthur Saldivar) announced their intention to sue on behalf of Budna.[102] They filed suit in the High Court on 16 September.[103] On 12 November and 22 January 2026, the defendants moved to strike out the case.[104]
On 8 September, police sergeants Gary Myvett and Phillip Thomas threatened defamation suits against Moses Barrow and 7News for alleging they had been involved in the kidnapping.[105] On 28 January 2026, the former Home Minister (Musa) likewise threatened to sue several media houses for airing allegedly defamatory statements by Budna's counsel (Saldivar).[106]
Legacy
As of February 2026: Joseph Budna[i] remains in Guatemalan custody awaiting criminal trial; his civil suit in Belize is ongoing; the DPP's investigation is ongoing, with no charges laid so far. As of the same date, this case is popularly (unofficially) suspected of being a state-sponsored extrajudicial extradition (though no court of law has so labelled it),[107] likened to the 25 April 2003 extradition of George Herbert to the US (ruled unlawful by the High Court later that year).[108] Most commentators have emphatically condemned the kidnapping.[109] A few have condemned it less forcefully.[110] The case has elicited substantial and sustained interest from officials, civil society, press, and the public at large. It has notably led to the Foreign Ministry's first efforts at a prisoner swap with Guatemala,[111] and the first suspension of a Commissioner of Police.[112]
The case brought attention to the 21 February 2023 kidnapping of Sebastian Pop, a 22 year old Belizean national allegedly abducted from Dolores, Toledo by a mob of Guatemalan vigilantes to face criminal charges in Peten or Alta Verapaz.[113] His father (Francisco Pop) filed a police report in July 2023,[114] but there had allegedly been no progress with that as of August 2025,[114] by which time Pop had been convicted of femicide by a Guatemalan court after allegedly receiving no consular support.[115] The Foreign Ministry confirmed they were monitoring the case on 29 August,[116] expressing "extreme concern" and pledging to "vigorously pursue [Pop's] repatriation".[117]
The case has furthermore been linked by some to: the government-proposed Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution Act 1981;[118] the November 2025 removal of Kareem Musa as Minister of Home Affairs (in a cabinet reshuffle);[119] a November 2025 US travel ban on the Officer Commanding the Police Department's SPU (Aaron Gamboa).[120]