Audio Recording Fuels Allegations of High-Level Collusion in Budna Case

The Prime Minister’s comments follow an audio recording that is currently circulating, purportedly made by Budna whilst in Guatemalan detention.  In that recording, Budna alluded to a collusion between the Belize Police Department and high government officials.  

Joseph Budna, Recaptured in Guatemala: “Yes I just want to say that I was kidnapped on the Friday just in front of the Orange Walk police station by four police officers who identified themselves as police. Orange Walk Police ran out and heard I shouted for help and as a result of me shouting for help I was hit in the head, gun butt and beaten on the ground. My phones were taken away and I was taped. My mouth was taped with duct tape and handcuffed and I was thrown inside a blue SUV vehicle and I was taken away immediately. There was communication with the officers with one Kareem I don’t know which Kareem it is and also one of them mentioned ComPol you know that we got the man. And they beat me when I tried to move and get some air because both officers at the back seat sat on me, one on top of my head and one on top of my back. So they moved while I was handcuffed and every move I did I was gun butt in my stomach, in my ribs, my right ribs and gun butt in my head. I was beaten badly, I was bleeding inside the vehicle and they traveled for almost about three hours and change and when they took off my eyes were blinded with grey duct tape and when I opened my eyes it was at the Arenal football field where I saw three civilian police there and they came out of the vehicle, Belizean police came out of their vehicle and handed me over to the Guatemalans through that area on the football field in Arenal. They then popped my chain from off my neck, my money I had about $800 in my pocket they took that as well, my chain and my two phones. My tennis was left inside the vehicle because I barely could have walked and they brought me over to Melchor where I was taken to a cellblock and thereafter the other day I was taken to the Melchor de Mencos Hospital. And now I am being transported to the Zone 18 preventative prison center where I am awaiting to go before the court. But they beat me so bad and they blindfolded me. I am so badly beaten right now by these police officers. And the police from Orange Walk they ran out to assist but these guys identified themselves as police and just before this kidnapping I also sent the license plate and the vehicle to the Commanding Officer of Orange Walk Mr.Dubon who has the license plate of the vehicle as well. The same vehicle that was from a night before following me. So that is what I could say about now but I’m not in good health condition I’m badly beaten.”

With the ability of artificial intelligence (AI), it is uncertain if the recording is truly that of Budna.