Serious Rape Allegations Against Lawmen In The South

Tonight there is a hideous report coming out of the Toledo district. It involves members of the Belize Military and police officials who are alleged to have extorted and then gang rape a Honduran woman. A 23 year old Honduran woman told police that she entered Jalacte from Santa Cruz, Guatemala along with 2 other Guatemalan women between 11pm on January 14 and 1am on January 15th. While in Jalacte, they were detained by 4 men believed to be members of the Belize Defence Force and the police department. While detained, she alleged that the men demanded money in order for her release, and because she could not meet their demands, and fearing for her life, she was forced to perform oral and sexual intercourse with the four men against her will. She said the other two Guatemalan women managed to escape and ran back to Guatemala. The allegation is under investigation by Punta Gorda Police and Human Services officials in that town. 7news contacted Lieutenant Colonel James Requena who is the Acting Chief of Staff for the Belize Defense Force. He told us that if any wrong doing was committed, the men will be tried as any other criminal in the court of law for the offence. We note that the Jalacte-Santa Cruz crossing is unregulated - meaning, not an official border crossing. It is known for contraband and other illicit movements, and at the height of the night when these women were crossing, it would be considered extraordinarily dangerous.