Rubio Says Increase in 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report 'Outrageous'

Human trafficking remains a great evil in the present day, and the State Department's recent 2024 Trafficking in Persons report only reflects its grim prevalence. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) expressed outrage in a recent statement responding to the report: "The concerns listed in this report for these heinous crimes must transcend into tangible actions to counter these abuses."

The latest report detailed how traffickers are harnessing technology to their advantage and how efforts by government and private institutions are fighting back. Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave examples during his address at the release, using encryption to reach victims through social media, dating apps, and gaming platforms.

Many have turned to forcing their victims to participate in online scams, such as the incident of a man from India who was forcibly starved until he cooperated.

"It's outrageous that we're seeing an increase in the evil practice of human trafficking around the globe. With the advancement of technologies, we are seeing this category of human rights violation proceed at a quicker pace," said Sen. Rubio.

Additionally, the Florida Senator brought attention to government-sponsored trafficking operations, referencing the "medical brigades" of Cuba, the "illegal mass migration hub" of Nicaragua, and the usage of forced labor by Uyghurs and other minorities within China, along with the failure of Venezuela to address trafficking in their country.

"The criminal Cuban regime, through its so-called medical brigades, continues to lead a modern-day slavery scheme that subjects medical personnel to forced labor and unimaginable hardships. Venezuela's narco-regime, now a Tier 3 country, has failed to prove any commitment to counter human trafficking in our region. The Nicaraguan authoritarian dynasty has transformed its nation into an illegal mass migration hub. Communist China's modern-day slavery scheme, as it continues with its acts of genocide against the Uyghurs and other minorities, reaffirms that Beijing continues to benefit from forced labor and seeks to taint our supply chain," Sen. Rubio continued.

In April 2023, Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) called for an investigation into the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) for its supposed enabling of Cuba's doctor-trafficking system.

Multiple members of Florida's Congressional delegation, including Rubio, have raised the alarm about the prevalence of imported Chinese products made with Uyghur slave labor, calling for stricter oversight and greater transparency from the Chinese government.

"The concerns listed in this report for these heinous crimes must transcend into tangible actions to counter these abuses," Rubio concluded.