In a significant legal development, 19 individuals have been sentenced in Cuba for their involvement in child trafficking offenses committed between 2022 and 2024, according to a report by the state-controlled newspaper Granma. During this period, authorities prosecuted 14 cases related to these illegal activities, each involving a young girl as a victim. The sentences handed out to the defendants, comprising 13 men and six women, range from three to 20 years in prison.
Government Efforts and National Action Plan
The report underscores that the relatively low occurrence of such crimes in the country is due to proactive measures and interventions by the state. Additionally, the lack of organized criminal networks within Cuba contributes to this low incidence. These efforts are part of the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Combating of Human Trafficking and Victim Protection (2022-2024), aimed at strengthening protective and punitive measures.
Granma highlighted Cuba's "Zero Tolerance" policy toward any form of human trafficking, emphasizing ongoing prevention activities and collaboration with international bodies like INTERPOL and the United Nations. Specialized care is also provided to victims, particularly those who are most vulnerable, including children, women, and individuals with disabilities.
Criticism and International Response
Contrasting the local narrative, a recent report from the U.S. Department of State indicates that Cuba remains at the highest alert level (Tier 3) due to its failure to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking. This designation suggests that the government under Miguel Díaz-Canel is not making significant efforts to tackle this issue and continues practices that facilitate and benefit from forced labor.
In October, President Joe Biden's administration placed Cuba among the nations that do not make "significant efforts" to combat human trafficking, announcing impending sanctions against the communist regime. These measures, yet to be detailed, will remain in place until the Cuban authorities show a change in approach and comply with anti-trafficking prevention laws.
Previous Convictions Highlight Ongoing Issues
Back in May, at least seven individuals—five men and two women—were convicted in Cuba for promoting services related to obtaining fake migration documents and engaging in illegal activities linked to human trafficking. As reported by the National Television News, these convictions resulted in sentences ranging from five to 28 years of imprisonment for crimes including human trafficking, document forgery, and violent robbery.