Criminals in Venezuela are exploiting the country’s economic collapse on a massive scale says a new report. Between forced labor, sexual exploitation and forced marriages, criminal networks are leveraging the current instability and turning it into astronomical profits.

Cashing in on suffering 

$2.6 billion dollars last year alone. That’s how much human trafficking made for exploiters according to a new report by the Venezuelan unit of Transparency International. The collapse of the economy means trafficking scams often begin with fake job offers or promises of housing posted on social media and end in exploitation.  

The Miami Herald stated according to the report: 

“These networks are sophisticated. They prey on trust and desperation (and) most victims are women and adolescents”  

However, the report notes in addition to women and children, other groups are also particularly vulnerable. Indigenous populations and Venezuelans who have fled abroad are of the most vulnerable. And playing a central role in the exploitation are guerrilla and dissident groups. These groups offer “travel packages” across extremely dangerous routes such as the Darién Gap. Sadly, many do not survive the journey, and the migrants who do often experience extreme exploitation, such as being forced into sex work, forced labor and organ trafficking. 

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