And while that is the perplexing state of affairs between Belmopan and Guatemala City - there's another burning issue between our two countries - and that is the abduction of Joseph Budna and his handover to Guatemalan police.
As we told you yesterday, he is suing the government, the police department and various cops for his alleged abduction and extradition. Today in Belmopan, the Foreign Minister said that representatives from the embassy in Guatemala have been checking on his well being. And as for the lawsuit, he added that he wasn't surprised, since Budna had made it clear that he intended to file it.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah. we've said that when Mr. Budna was taken into custody again in Guatemala by the authorities there, we advised our embassy staff to visit with him. They did so, they checked on his health to make sure he was, in good health, and ensured that he was being provided with medication. He needs medication and then also to check with him about his legal representation. He advised us that he was getting his own lawyers. We made it clear to him that we would anything we could do to support him in that process, we would do. If he could not access, legal representation, then we would work, our embassy would work, with the Guatemalan authorities to make sure that he did have adequate legal representation. So, that's what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been doing."
Courtney Menzies:
"What do you make of the fact that now he's suing the police department?"
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Yeah, I've heard about it. I haven't had an opportunity to see the claim. But I think he said that, he even said that to our representatives when they visited him in jail. That he intends to sue the government of Belize. So it comes as no surprise, obviously, that we'll have to go through the legal process. That is his right as a citizen. So that will have to go through the courts."
