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Missing Guatemalan Teen Rescued in Stann Creek Operation

In a successful cross-agency operation, law enforcement authorities have rescued a missing fourteen-year-old Guatemalan girl who had been reported missing since January of this year.

Police say the operation, dubbed “Safe Return,” was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the Stann Creek District, following weeks of intelligence gathering and coordination between specialized units.  Belize Police Department and the Belize Special Assignment Group (BSAG) joined forces to execute the mission at a remote farm located behind San Roman Village, navigating difficult terrain to reach the target area.  ASP Stacy Smith outlined the details of the operation and confirmed that the minor was safely recovered.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “On Tuesday 21st April at approximately 3: 45am, a joint Belize Police Department and Belize Special Assignment Group, BSAG, team successfully executed Operation Safe Return at a farm located behind San Roman Village in the Stann Creek District. The operation resulted in the successful rescue of a kidnapped Guatemalan female minor being 14 years of age. This female minor was reported missing in Peten, Guatemala in January of 2026. The operation was launched after intelligence was received as to the location of the minor and given the terrain involved, a decision was made to include the Belize Special Assignment Group. The team of officers visited the location, however, the suspect who is now being sought, namely Jose Gilberto Duarte was able to flee, however we were able to rescue the female. As a part of the investigation, we have also communicated with the Guatemalan counterparts and we have also involved the Human Services Department in relation to victim care and repatriation.”

During the rescue operation, the kidnapper, namely, Jose Gilberto Duarte, was able to flee. Love News understands that the investigators have established that the minor had no familial or prior relationship with the suspect and was being held against her will.  Belize’s Human Services Department is now working closely with Guatemalan officials to ensure her safe return home.