He did not draw the headlines or set the pulse of public attention like Joseph Budna - but the Belizean, Sebastian Pop was allegedly abducted from a remote Toledo village by a Guatemalan mob of vigilantes more than 2 years ago - and is languishing in a Peten prison - reportedly accused of murder.
How he got there should be a national scandal - but up until tonight, probably no one outside of his village even knows about it.
According to a police report that his father Francisco Pop made in July of 2023, his 22 year old son left home in Otoxha, Toledo on February 21st, and he became concerned a day later when the young man had not returned.
Pop went to his village Alcalde, who told him that his son was taken by force by several Guatemalan civilians who entered Belize territory illegally.
He then spoke to the Alcalde of Dolores Village - which is on the border, who confirmed that on Tuesday February 21st, 2023 around 10:00am, he saw Sebastian Pop being escorted from the Community Center by several Guatemalan civilians from nearby border villages, who went in the direction of a Village called RIX TZUL located in Guatemala.
Days later, Pop travelled to that village and spoke to the Alcalde who confirmed that his son Sebastian was in Guatemalan Police Custody for a homicide investigation. Belize police later confirmed that Sebastian Pop is detained in the Santa Eler Jurisdiction of Peten Alta Vera Paz.
That was in 2023, but a family friend tells us that two years have passed and nothing has happened. His mother speaks only Kechi and lives in an area with no cell service. A family friend tells us she has only been able to see her son twice in two years. Friends of thermally who alerted us to the story after the news about Joseph Budna broke say, quote, "they are forgotten there, and clearly they invaded Belize and kidnapped him with the help of (local villagers.)" end quote.
We did reach out to the Belize Ambassador in Guatemala, Jose Alpuche and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - but up to news time got no response. Sources tell us the Belizean authorities are not actively involved in advocating for him in Guatemala.
