Opposition Leader Calls for Commissioner’s Removal in Budna Case

Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton has called for the replacement of Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado; however, the demand comes as government actions in the Joseph Budna abduction investigation remain under close public watch.

In a statement posted on her official Facebook page, Panton questioned who authorized Budna’s beating, restraint, and transfer into Guatemalan custody on August 22. She argued that senior officials could not credibly claim ignorance of the incident while receiving daily security briefings.

Panton urged Prime Minister John Briceño to release the preliminary investigative report he deemed incomplete last week, make public surveillance footage of the incident, and appoint an independent task force to lead the inquiry. She further stated that the Police Department could not investigate itself under the circumstances.

Her statement also called for Rosado’s removal, citing damage to confidence in the police command, and pressed for government to secure Budna’s return to Belize.

Last week, the Prime Minister directed Rosado to proceed on a 45-day leave of absence, interdicted Police Officer Barrington Flowers, and appointed Deputy Commissioner Bart Jones as Acting Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner Suzette Anderson was assigned responsibility to complete the investigation by the end of September.