A total of 19 people were convicted in Cuba for their involvement in child trafficking crimes between 2022 and 2024, according to a report published by the state-run newspaper Granma.
In the specified period, 14 cases associated with this illegal act were judged, after the identification of the same number of victims, all underage girls. The sentences imposed on the accused, which include 13 men and six women, range from three to 20 years in prison.
The report highlighted that the low incidence of these crimes in the national territory is attributed to the preventive and confrontational actions implemented by the State, as well as the absence of organized criminal networks in the country.
This effort is part of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims (2022-2024), which aims to strengthen protection and sanction measures, according to Granma.
The media added that Cuba maintains its "Zero Tolerance" policy against any form of human trafficking, reinforcing prevention activities and cooperation with international organizations such as INTERPOL and the United Nations system.
In addition, specialized care was provided to victims, especially those in more vulnerable situations, including children, women, and people with disabilities.
In contrast, a recent report from the U.S. State Department confirmed that Cuba will remain at the highest alert level (Level 3) due to its failure to meet minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking.
This level indicates that the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel is not only failing to make significant efforts to address this issue, but also continues to engage in governmental practices that facilitate and benefit from forced labor.
In the current month of October, the administration of President Joe Biden included Cuba among the countries that do not make "significant efforts" to combat human trafficking and announced the adoption of sanctions against the communist regime.
The measures -still unknown- will remain in effect until a change in attitude is perceived from the authorities on the island and they "comply with the standards of the anti-human trafficking law or make efforts to comply with them."
In May, at least seven people –five men and two women– were convicted in the Caribbean nation for promoting services for obtaining false immigration documents and participating in illegal activities associated with human trafficking.
In the stellar broadcast of the National Television News, it was reported that the sentences handed down against the accused range from five to 28 years of deprivation of liberty for the crimes of human trafficking, document forgery, and robbery with violence.
What do you think?
COMMENTFiled under: