This publication examines the nature and extent of trafficking in persons in Latin America and the Caribbean. It outlines the conceptual framework guiding anti-trafficking efforts, analyzes the drivers of vulnerability, and reviews the range of exploitative purposes prevalent in the region, including connections to organized crime and health-related impacts. The document also describes United States’ efforts to address trafficking in the region and concludes with policy recommendations primarily aimed at the U.S. Congress. This publication can support anti-trafficking practitioners in Costa Rica seeking to understand regional trafficking dynamics, including foreign policy responses that may contribute to shaping national and regional interventions.
Year of Publication: 2016
Author(s): Clare Ribando Seelke