The United States Department of State’s annual report on trafficking in persons provoked a strong reaction from the Cuban authorities. The fact is that the United States included the Island of Freedom in the list of 13 countries with the worst situation in this area. The Cuban government called these findings disrespectful and false. This report was made public in the United States of America last Monday. It states that the Republic of Cuba does not meet even the minimum requirements and does not seek to combat human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors. Washington believes that Havana did not prosecute traffickers, did not protect their victims, and banned anti-trafficking non-governmental organizations.
According to Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, head of the North America Department at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this lie has nothing to do with reality. In addition, she insults the entire Cuban people. There is no sexual exploitation of minors on Liberty Island. Moreover, Cuba is an excellent example of the implementation of measures to protect women, youth and children. According to the diplomat, there is no reason to consider Cuba as a source, transit point and final destination for traffickers of “human goods”. Vidal noted that the measures taken in this area and the legislation put Cuba on a par with countries actively combating human trafficking. The diplomat stressed that the presence of Cuba in the list of the worst countries can be beneficial to the State Department of the United States of America, which is thus trying to justify the implementation of a tough policy towards the Island of Freedom.
