By Aaron Humes: Former Benque Viejo Mayor and Ambassador to Cuba, Said Badi Guerra, has been charged with rape of a 16-year-old male student. The arraignment took place on Thursday in Benque Viejo Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Magistrate Kara Waters.
The teenager claims that last year, Guerra, who was employed as a teacher at his high school, invited him for drinks and later took him to his home, where the alleged rape occurred. Guerra was initially charged with four counts of sexual assault, one count of harm, and one count of procuring defilement by threats. Initially granted bail of $10,000, Guerra returned to court on Thursday where the charges were upgraded to rape, a serious offense that carries a minimum sentence of eight years and a potential maximum of life in prison. During the court proceedings, Guerra was again released on bail and is scheduled to reappear in mid-March for further proceedings.
Speaking to Channel 7 News, the mother of the victim expressed her deep distress over the situation. In an emotional phone call, she shared her concerns about the justice process, lamenting that her son’s case seems to be treated with less urgency compared to other similar cases. “I don’t feel well. I feel upset because I hear about other cases that are coming out, and I see that they are actually putting those people in jail, and I see that they are doing more for other people than for what’s happening to my son,” she said, adding, “It’s like they’re just ignoring him.”
She further highlighted the emotional toll the incident has taken on her son, stating that he has become nervous, agitated, unable to sleep and reluctant to attend school due to alleged gossip and judgment from his peers. “He asks, ‘Why is this happening to me?’” she revealed.
Furthermore, the family criticized the police for failing to inform them about the upgrade in Guerra’s charges.
The post Former diplomat and public servant Said Badi Guerra charged with rape of 16-year-old boy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: Former Benque Viejo Mayor and Ambassador to Cuba, Said Badi Guerra, has been charged with rape of a 16-year-old male student. The arraignment took place on Thursday in Benque Viejo Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Magistrate Kara Waters. The teenager claims that last year, Guerra, who was employed as a teacher at
The post Former diplomat and public servant Said Badi Guerra charged with rape of 16-year-old boy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
