By the WBWTN News Team | May 27, 2025
San Felipe Village, Belize (WBWTN) – A freelance reporter, Joseph Ryan Budna, was attacked today while doing a live report in San Felipe Village. He was there to conduct an interview about a fight over land when things suddenly turned violent.
Just as Budna started his live video, a man named Manuel Padron came up to him and began acting aggressively. The man then hit Budna several times with what looked like a stick or object. Even while being attacked, Budna kept the camera rolling, and the whole thing was shown live.
Budna was trying to cover a story about a woman who says she is being unfairly kicked off land that she legally owns. But the interview was cut short by the attack.
Luckily, Budna’s injuries are not life-threatening.
The video of the attack has gone viral online, with some people making jokes or memes. But others are worried that the situation is being taken too lightly and saying that attacking a reporter is serious and should not be ignored.
They are asking for justice and better protection for reporters who cover difficult issues in the community.