And turning now to other news, there was a significant ruling by the High Court of Belize. Justice Martha Alexander refused to dismiss a constitutional claim brought by freelance journalist and activist Joseph Ryan Budna, who alleges he was the victim of a State-sponsored "extraordinary rendition" to Guatemala.
Budna, currently held in a Guatemalan prison, claims he was kidnapped by State actors in August 2025, blindfolded, handcuffed, and subjected to torture before being forcefully taken across the border. His attorney brought the suit for constitutional redress against 11 state actors.
While the court struck out high-ranking officials, including Minister of National Security Kareem Musa and Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado, as improper defendants, it ruled that the Attorney General remains the correct representative for the State in these proceedings.
Additionally, persons who remain include CPL Barry Flowers, CplYannick Wade, Special Branch officer Herman Myvette, Cpl Francisco Labriel and CPL Carlos Choco.
The judge rejected the government's attempt to strike out the claim noting, quote, "His claim raises serious allegations against State actors and seeks redress for the breaches arising from the events that occurred on 22nd and 23'd August 2025." She also said, quote, " This is an attempt to strike out a constitutional claim that is asserted to be of grave public importance, since it involves extreme and weighty rights' violations by the State,
The judge asked, quote, "is thls a hopeless case? The answer is no. The dispute is a live one that remains to be answered by the State" later adding "this matter can benefit from full ventilation at trial". She also said, quote, "The claim raises a serious and |ive issue of constitutional breaches by State actors. ln the present context, I harbour no doubt that this is an appropriate case to move forward."
