Sunshine Sentinel

In its annual Trafficking in Persons Report, the U.S. State Department evaluates the status of the government’s efforts to counter human trafficking and highlights the best strategies to diminish this global evil. 

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued a statement criticizing the release of the State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report:

• “Human trafficking is a global tragedy that can only be countered if nations unite and fight against this evil. Democratic nations worldwide have a moral duty to hold oppressors accountable. The U.S. must continue to lead by example in pursuit of both justice and accountability. 

• “It is absurd and shameful that the State Department’s summary report fails to highlight two of the most alarming instances of modern-day slavery. Starting with China’s acts of genocide against the Uyghur population, where individuals are subjected to forced labor and unjust mass detentions, as well as Cuba’s ‘medical brigades,’ which are nothing more than a profit-driven scheme led by the island’s criminal regime.

• “Burying these human rights violations in the individual country reports means most people and reporters will assume the U.S. government does not take heinous crimes in China and Cuba seriously.” — Senator Rubio

• June, 2023: Rubio Pushes for More Data on Sex Trafficking
• December, 2022: Rubio Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Combat International Human Trafficking
• July, 2021: Rubio Statement on State Department’s 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report
• June, 2020: Rubio Statement On State Department Annual Trafficking In Persons Report