And, tonight the pressure is mounting because of the surveillance video released by this station. Though, to protect the source we have had to zoom in which makes it grainy and unclear - it clearly shows what we maintain are police officers carrying out the abduction of a private citizen within sight of the Orange Walk police station in downtown Orange Walk at 8:30 on a Friday night.
The emergence of the video makes it clear that these abductors had no concerns about committing a criminal act in front of the station.
But, the question is - when did Commissioner of Police, Richard Rosado see the surveillance videos? Police reportedly went to see it on the day after the abduction - which was Saturday the 23rd. And on Monday the 25th, Compol Rosado did make reference to the video - but then misspoke about it. Jules Vasquez puts it all together:
AUGUST 25
Ryan Joseph Budna, Abducted
"(looks around) I heah something just now. I heah somebody seh Budna. Nobody deh round. Mek me goh."
When Joseph Budna finished this Facebook live - his abductors were waiting for him right near the police station.
He dashed from the Banquitas house of culture towards the station with one of the men in hot pursuit and the Equinox trying to cut him off. They caught him there and he then dashed back to his vehicle, and then fell in front of the library across the street where they viciously beat him for three minutes.
Joseph Budna, Imprisoned in Guatemala
"I was viciously beaten in my head, gun but in my head with baston, gun but in my head with baston, handcuffed and duct taped with the grey duct tape across my mouth."
And a police officer who heard the ruckus responded - but was waved off:
Joseph Budna, Imprisoned in Guatemala
"And when that police officer stepped out, the police officer said they are police officers and they are acting upon a commission and the police, leave them."
Many have pointed to this officer, Barry Flowers as the one in the video. In response to a Facebook page that implicated him, he said he is wrongfully associated with such a serious matter and that he has the utmost response. For the rule of law, and that he condemns the criminal act in the strongest terms.
As for his boss, the commissioner of police - in a press conference where his body language did not protect confidence - Rosado denied what the footage clearly showed:
August 25, 2025
Richard Rosado
"But our investigation so far has not revealed that any police officer approached those individuals, and it was shown in the camera footage that only four, the confrontation were among four individuals."
It's a telling comment - he refers with specific knowledge to the footage, and we know what that shows - a corporal of police responding. But then why would the compol lie about something shown so plainly on the footage.
And despite having seen the video - which overtly points to police black ops - he said
August 25, 2025
Richard Rosado
"I will unequivocally state that at no time, I, nor the police department was involved in the apprehension of Budna or to his alleged extradition. And I will maintain that."
But what he matins cannot be supported by what the evidence shows - so who will investigate?:
August 25, 2025
Jules Vasquez
"But you can see that people, the public would not have confidence in such an investigation because you may be investigating rogue officers."
"There is no assurance of transparency once there is an allegation of police officers and police are investigating."
Richard Rosado
"Allegation like this is what we the vacuum of trust that I must correct that I must see how we can be more transparent and accountable."
