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Costa Rica's Trafficking Crisis: Minors and Migrants Exploited

11/17/2025

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Center

Costa Rica Tackles Trafficking

Costa Rica faces a trafficking crisis, especially for minors and migrants, identified as a hub by the Global Organized Crime Index 2025.
Victims come from Central America, China, and South America, often en route to the United States, with rising exploitation and forced labor.
Coastal areas such as Jacó are hotspots for child sex tourism.
Efforts include a crackdown on smugglers and new immigration laws, but resources hinder survivor support.

Right

North Carolina Addresses Trafficking

In 2024, North Carolina reported 301 trafficking cases involving 580 victims, ranking ninth nationally.
Experts attribute the rise to gang activity, including the Bloods, and the state's extensive highway system.
Forty-eight percent of victims were minors aged 15 or younger.
Local law enforcement faces a backlog of cases, underscoring the need for more resources and awareness.

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Costa Rica Tackles Trafficking

Costa Rica faces a trafficking crisis, especially for minors and migrants, identified as a hub by the Global Organized Crime Index 2025.
Victims come from Central America, China, and South America, often en route to the United States, with rising exploitation and forced labor.
Coastal areas such as Jacó are hotspots for child sex tourism.
Efforts include a crackdown on smugglers and new immigration laws, but resources hinder survivor support.

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