MIAMI, United States. – He “National Report of Cuba on preventing and confronting human trafficking” corresponding to the year 2023 revealed that all the victims identified during that period were underage girls, who suffered sexual exploitation, mainly at the hands of close people.
The report, published by Cuban authorities on October 8, indicates that 14 victims were identified, all of them girls. After knowing the information, the feminist platform YoSíTeCreo in Cuba lament The vulnerability of girls to these crimes continues to be a serious and persistent problem.
The official report mentions that 14 cases were tried for crimes related to human trafficking in 2023, which involved 19 defendants (13 men and six women). The sentences imposed vary between three and 20 years in prison.
The national report highlights that in 2023, cooperation with international organizations such as the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations was reinforced, and training was developed focused on improving risk perception among the population. In addition, according to Cuban authorities, preventive actions were implemented to protect the most vulnerable sectors, such as girls, women, older adults and people with disabilities.
Among the legal measures, the report details that the new legislation, such as the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Law, has expanded the definitions of crimes related to human trafficking, including pimping and other forms of sexual exploitation.
One of the most worrying points highlighted by YoYesTeCreo in Cuba is the fact that, according to the report, the majority of girls who were victims of sexual exploitation were abused by close people, such as family members or people in their immediate environment.
On the other hand, the official report highlights the collaboration between the State and the supposed Cuban civil society organizations (official, dependent on the Communist Party of Cuba) in the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Confrontation of Human Trafficking . Among the entities mentioned include the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) and the Cuban Association of the United Nations (ACNU).
According to Cuban authorities, the low incidence of organized criminal networks in the country has contributed to the reduction in the number of trafficking victims.
The text suggests that structural problems persist that expose certain groups, especially girls, to trafficking situations. However, it also reveals that not only girls are vulnerable, but risk factors have also been identified in other vulnerable populations, such as people with disabilities or older adults.
